Key quotes from the PM's big announcement

WHAT THEY SAID ABOUT PARLIAMENT RECALL

PRIME MINISTER MALCOLM TURNBULL:

"The time for playing games is over. The time has come for the Senate to recognise its responsibilities and help advance our economic plans rather than standing in the way."

"Australians will not be able to afford the infrastructure of the 21st century unless the rule of law returns to the construction industry."

"The issue in the election is who do you believe is best able to continue successfully to manage Australia's economic transition?"

OPPOSITION LEADER BILL SHORTEN:

"Mr Turnbull has decided to put his own future ahead of Australia's future. Today Australians have seen a prime minister in full panic mode."

"Mr Turnbull is just simply anti-union, and ... we will not allow this legislation to be a camouflage from the real issues."

EMPLOYMENT MINISTER MICHAELIA CASH:

"I will be negotiating in good faith with the crossbenchers. But I'm not about to tolerate amendments just for amendment's sake.

"You are talking about eight people with eight fundamentally different objectives. So whilst you might ... agree something, by the time you get to No.8, No.1 may have substantially changed. It's not an easy process."

DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER BARNABY JOYCE:

"I don't think it's bullying ... when you've been discussing them all the way through your term."

INDEPENDENT SENATOR NICK XENOPHON:

"If last week was pretty ugly, this debate will be even uglier."

INDEPENDENT SENATOR GLENN LAZARUS:

"I feel like it is a threat, but I'm not going to be blackmailed or bullied."

FAMILY FIRST SENATOR BOB DAY:

"I don't think the cross bench is in much of a mood to co-operate."

INDEPENDENT SENATOR JOHN MADIGAN:

"I won't be bullied, I won't be intimidated and I'm shocked by nothing this government dishes up to the country."