Could 2016 see Australians at the polling booths early?

Following the recent royal commission into trade unions, Opposition Leader Bill Shorten has said if the Liberals want an election about industrial relations, they should “bring it on”.

In response to recommendations by Royal Commissioner Dyson Heydon, Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull has flagged the reintroduction of an Australian Building and Construction Commission (ABCC).

The Turnbull government has vowed to re-establish an ABCC when Parliament resumes in February, after a previously unsuccessful attempt to vote the legislation in during August.

However, Employment Minister Michaelia Cash has stopped short of calling for a double dissolution election if the legislation is blocked again.

“Are we prepared to fight for transparency? Are we prepared to fight for a better deal for the workers? Absolutely, we are prepared to do that”, said Ms Cash.

Before adding, “that does not mean it will be a double dissolution, I want that to be very, very clear”.

In response to the Liberal agenda, Opposition Leader Bill Shorten has stated that Labor is ready to fight an election platform concerning industrial reform.

“If Malcolm Turnbull and his Liberals want to fight an election putting his record against mine standing up for Australian workers, then I welcome that any day of the week”, Mr Shorten said.

“Labor will always fight for workers and the conditions they rely on; Mr Turnbull and his Liberals will fight for big business and cuts to penalty rates”.

In an even stronger statement, Bill Shorten also Tweeted: “If Mr Turnbull and his Liberals want to fight an election on industrial relations, bring it on. We won on WorkChoices & we’ll win again”.

Do you think Australians will see a double dissolution election occur? Who do you trust to protect the rights of workers and their families?

If Mr Turnbull and his Liberals want to fight an election on industrial relations, bring it on. We won on WorkChoices & we’ll win again.

— Bill Shorten (@billshortenmp) December 30, 2015

Release of the Royal Commission into Trade Union Governance and Corruption – Final Report https://t.co/GazB0cbtvP pic.twitter.com/yx1K3nwAzL — Malcolm Turnbull (@TurnbullMalcolm) December 30, 2015