Turnbull to seek July 2 election as reform bill fails

Canberra

AUSTRALIAN Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull said he intends to hold an election on July 2 after the Senate blocked legislation aimed at curbing trade union powers.

Rejection of the legislation to bring back a building industry watchdog has given the government a constitutional trigger to call the early ballot, Mr Turnbull told reporters on Tuesday. He said he'll visit the governor-general to seek approval for the ballot some time after announcing the May 3 budget. "I will be asking the governor-general to dissolve both houses of the Parliament for an election which I expect to be held on July 2," the prime minister said.