The Albanese government is cautiously optimistic of passing its emergency CFMEU legislation as early as Thursday after the opposition dropped its demands for a Senate inquiry and put forward a range of demands, most of which the government was prepared to meet.

But while also keen to do a deal, opposition industrial relations spokeswoman Michaelia Cash told Workplace Relations Minister Murray Watt she needed more than his written “commitment to consider” what are three final sticking points in the negotiation, and suggested the legislation may not pass until next week.