Malcolm Turnbull’s move to have the governor-general recall parliament, using an often-forgotten constitutional power, caught many political players off guard. He’s put a tough choice to the Senate crossbench: pass the government’s industrial relations legislation or face the people at a July 2 double-dissolution election.
University of Canberra Deputy Vice-Chancellor of Research Frances Shannon and Professorial Fellow Michelle Grattan examine how Turnbull’s double-dissolution play will heighten the pressure on Bill Shorten and the crossbenchers.