Turnbull recalls MPs, threatens early election

Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull has said a Federal election will be held on July 2 unless the Senate passes 'key' legislation.

Mr Turnbull made the announcement at a press conference in Canberra on Monday.

The news comes at a time where voter satisfaction with Mr Turnbull is at its lowest point since replacing Tony Abbott last September, with the leader's popularity continuing a downward trend.

Both houses of Federal parliament have been recalled to sit on April 18 to consider Government legislation reinstating the building industry watchdog.

"This is an opportunity for the Senate to do its job of legislating rather than filibustering," Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull told reporters in Canberra on Monday.

The Senate will be given three weeks to pass the legislation or face a double-dissolution election.

"The go-slows and obstruction by Labor and the Greens on this key legislation must end," Mr Turnbull said.

If the Governor-General agrees to a double-dissolution election it will be held on July 2.

The Federal budget has been brought forward to May 3.

If the Senate passed the ABCC [Australian Building and Construction Commission] bill and another imposing tougher governance measures on trade unions, there would be no double-dissolution election, Mr Turnbull said.

"What we are doing here is giving the Senate ample time - this is three weeks - this is plenty of time to consider the bills, and pass them," he said.

"The restoration of the ABCC is a critical economic reform. The time for playing games is over.

"If they don't want to pass the bills then they should resolve to reject them and then the decision will be left to the Australian people."