Australian Senate Faces Double Dissolution If Lawmakers Fail to Pass Bill

The upper house of Australia's parliament, known as the Senate, has started to discuss a bill to reestablish a building industry supervisory commission, a move which is likely to lead to an early election if lawmakers fail to pass the bill, media reported Monday.

MOSCOW (Sputnik) — According to the BBC, an additional sitting of the Australian parliament was initiated at Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull's request.

The bill, which has been already rejected by the Senate, is expected to be blocked again, with a possibility of subsequent election called by the head of the Australian government.

The Australian constitution envisages a mechanism, known as the double dissolution, which empowers the government to call for an election if the Senate blocks a piece of legislation twice. Turnbull said in late March that voting to elect lawmakers in Australia would be held on July 2 if the current parliament failed to pass two union bills.

The next federal elections are due to be held in Australia before the start of 2017.