Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull fuels speculation of early Budget day, election

THE Turnbull government is seriously considering bringing forward its first Budget by a week, in a move that provides further momentum for a July 2 double-dissolution election.

08/03/2016: Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull visits Fugro LADS Corporation in Adelaide ahead of announcing a defense hub based in Adelaide. Kelly Barnes/The Australian.

THE Turnbull government is seriously considering bringing forward its first Budget by a week, in a move that provides further momentum for a July 2 double-dissolution election.

Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull yesterday fuelled speculation of an early Budget day and poll when he said: “The Budget will be delivered in May”, failing to confirm it would go ahead as scheduled on May 10.

Assistant Treasurer Kelly O’Dwyer also failed to dampen speculation, saying “these are all matters to be considered” when asked about an early Budget.

The cut-off to call an early poll is May 11 — one day after the Budget is due to be handed down.

The rare move would give the government more time to pass supply and create another double-dissolution trigger by reintroducing legislation — already blocked once — to re-establish industry watchdog the Australian Building and Construction Commission.

There are already two pot­ential triggers for a double dissolution, but the government has previously said it was prepared for an early poll on the legislation to clean up worksites.

Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull failed to confirm the Budget would go ahead as scheduled on May 10.

But that Bill is not listed for debate in the next sitting of parliament next Tuesday.

Government ministers yesterday told the Herald Sun that July 2 was still the most likely date for the poll, which would create an unprecedented 10-week campaign.

Yesterday, employment minister Michaelia Cash made a strong case for fighting an election on an existing trigger, the registered organisation Bill — which toughens penalties for dodgy union bosses — meaning the government would not need to change its sitting schedule.

“Do I believe that the registered organisations legislation is important enough in terms of an election campaign? Yes, I do,” Senator Cash said.

“Does it mean the government will use it as a trigger? That is only for the Prime Minister to decide.”

Only three sitting days ­remain before parliament rises ahead of the Budget — and, likely, the election campaign.

As pre-election temperatures start to rise, Labor warned the Liberals were preparing to direct preferences to the Greens in progressive seats in Melbourne and Sydney.

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