Legal advice backs government on early double dissolution election trigger over housing bill

Anthony Albanese reveals the solicitor general agrees Senate delays over the housing Australia future fund constitute a failure to pass the bill

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Anthony Albanese has said the solicitor general agrees the Senate's decision to twice delay the $10bn housing Australia future fund constitutes a failure to pass the bill, which is the first step towards a double dissolution election.

The prime minister revealed on Friday that the government had received the advice commissioned after the Coalition and Greens voted on Monday to delay consideration of the bill until 16 October.

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