But Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull's threat to call a double dissolution election has received praise from his predecessor, Tony Abbott - who's even taken credit for what he calls the "strong record" this government will take to the next election.
On what appears to be the start of a 15-week election campaign, Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull insists that if a vote does take place on July the 2nd it won't be about his short term in office.
He says voters should instead be thinking about the next three years, and industrial relations is a high priority.
"Industrial disputes are higher and what is most disturbing is that nearly 70 per cent of them are in the construction sector. There are 100 officials of the CFMEU and members of the CFMEU before the courts at the moment with over a thousand different separate charges relating to breaches of the industrial law."
Mr Turnbull says he's determined to pass legislation to reinstate the Australian Building and Construction Commission, the industry monitor brought into being under the Howard government and wound down by Julia Gillard.
But with Labor and the Greens opposed, the government needs the support of six crossbench senators - and many of them are demanding the bill be amended.
Mr Turnbull says if the bill fails to pass he will call a double dissolution election.
Senator Jacqui Lambie has told the ABC's Q&A program she won't be intimidated.
"I will not be blackmailed, I will not have a gun held to my head. This is not the way to play politics and as for my seat, well, that is up to the people of Tasmania. If they don't want me up here keeping the bastards honest, then they will get rid of me. If that's what they want from me, then I will be safe."
Independent senator Glenn Lazarus has dismissed suggestions the current Senate is one of the most disruptive in history.
He says it's the government's responsibility to come up with better legislation rather than expect the Senate to pass it as is.
"We've got different points of view, but the Government hasn't rolled up their sleeves to try to negotiate with us, so they change the goal posts. How democratic is that?"
Deputy Labor Leader Tanya Plibersek agrees, saying the government could have reintroduced the bill and discussed amendments any time since August last year.
"This is not sincerely about the ABCC. This is sincerely about trying to give the Liberal National party a tactical advantage by changing the rules around Senate voting and rushing to a panicked double dissolution election."
But Employment Minister Michaelia Cash says some of the proposed amendments have been unreasonable.
"What I've said is I will negotiate in good faith but I will not accept amendments that will change the fundamental integrity of the bill. It's been put to me we should get rid of the ABCC proposal and bring in a Federal ICAC. It completely and utterly changes the legislation. That is not something the Government is able to consider."
Meanwhile former Prime Minister Tony Abbott has congratulated Mr Turnbull on what he calls "intelligent brinkmanship" in flagging a double dissolution election.
But speaking to Sky News Mr Abbott claimed Mr Turnbull would head into the next election bouyed by "a very strong record" created by his government.
"The Turnbull government is seeking election on fundamentally on the record of the Abbott government. Stopping the boats, finalising the free trade agreements, our strong national security policy and now of course our workplace relations policy."
Mr Turnbull denies this, saying while there has been continuity there has also been change.
"There are many policies that have been announced and many initiatives that have been undertaken that were either not policies or not being pursued by Mr Abbott."
So far, South Australian Family First senator Bob Day says he will vote in favour of the ABCC bill, while Indpendent Senator Dio Wang has indicated he may do the same.
Once the houses return on April the 18th they will have three weeks to make up their minds.
But Opposition leader Bill Shorten says he's already prepared for a July vote.
"Labor won't be supporting the Government's measures, so I suspect - in fact, I'm pretty sure - we will just be having an election on July 2nd in 103 days' time."
Share
