Opposition Senate leader Penny Wong wasn't nearly as effusive.

"It says everything about this government that their most urgent bill on the eve of an election is not, is not about helping Australians, but about helping themselves," she told Parliament.

Senator Wong took a swipe at the Greens, telling the minor party its support for the changes risked giving away the working majority in the Upper House over time.

The bill, which passed with nine government amendments, needs to be approved by the lower houses.

MPs have been on standby for a recall of the house, expected within the hour.

The new laws will apply from July 1, allowing the government to use them for a double-dissolution election.

Family First senator Bob Day will be taking the Government's new Senate voting laws to the High Court next week.

• Senator Day to lodge legal challenge against senate voting legislation
• Says three million votes may 'exhaust or die' as a result
• Liberal Democrats will support the legal challenge

The legislation, which will make it harder for micro parties to get elected, passed both houses yesterday.

The Coalition bill passed with the support of the Greens and independent Senator Nick Xenophon after a marathon sitting session of more than 28 hours.

Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull described its passage as good for democracy, but Senator Day said he would lodge a legal challenge against the legislation on Monday.

Under the new laws, voters who issue a limited number of preferences at the polling booth will have their ballot discarded if their preferred candidates are excluded from the race.

read more: http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-03-19/bob-day-to-challenge-senate-voting-laws/7260354

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-03-20/political-barflies:-week-that-left-senators-needing-a-drink/7261116

Apparently a double dissolution has been called by Malcolm a few minutes ago... see what happens next... Wrong. It will be called only if his anti-worker legislation is not passed by the senate...

Malcolm Turnbull will bring back both houses of Parliament for an extraordinary sitting in April to deal with union corruption legislation, and says he will call a double dissolution election if the bills are not passed.

Mr Turnbull called a snap media conference in his Canberra parliamentary courtyard this morning to make the announcement.

The Prime Minister said he would also bring forward the federal budget by one week, and had informed his Cabinet colleagues shortly before addressing the media.

"The time has come for the Senate to recognise its responsibilities and help advance our economic plans, rather than standing in the way," Mr Turnbull said.

"The restoration of the ABCC [Australian Building and Construction Commission] is a critical economic reform. The time for playing games is over."

Under the existing schedule, the House of Representatives was set for an extended break until May 11, when the budget was due to be handed down.

Now both houses will be sent back to Canberra on April 18 to deal with the Australian Building and Construction Commission legislation and the registered organisations bill.

If the bills are rejected by the Senate, Mr Turnbull is now adamant he will call a double dissolution election, to be held on July 2.

He says the budget will be handed down on May 3 regardless of the outcome.

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-03-21/malcolm-turnbull-brings-budget-for...