MPs must have full work program: Wilkie

Independent MP Andrew Wilkie says a full program of work is needed when parliament returns on April 18.

Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull has received the Governor-General's nod for bringing the two houses of parliament back on April 18 to debate laws to reinstate the building industry watchdog and impose tougher penalties for union corruption.

Failure to pass the bills will give Mr Turnbull triggers for a double-dissolution election on July 2.

The parliament will also debate a government bill, which has yet to be introduced, to delay a price-setting Road Safety Remuneration Tribunal order from coming into effect until January 2017.

While the Senate is expected to take days to debate the industrial laws, which are opposed by Labor and the Greens, it is not known what the House of Representatives will do in the meantime.

Asked about it on Sunday, Mr Turnbull said: "The lower house will sit for a portion of that time, for at least the first part of the week beginning Monday, April 18."

Mr Wilkie told AAP on Tuesday the additional sitting would cost taxpayers upwards of $3 million.

"Of course it should be a full sitting week where a broad range of parliamentary business is undertaken," Mr Wilkie said.

"The recall is already a deeply cynical political exercise by the government, but at least let's get some value out of it for the taxpayer."

Labor has called for a normal parliamentary program complete with daily question time.