Turnbull in panic mode: Labor

Labor leader Bill Shorten says the prime minister is panicking by threatening an early election.

Malcolm Turnbull has announced parliament will be recalled from April 18 to pass trade union corruption laws, and if the Senate blocks them a double-dissolution election will be held on July 2.

"Today Australians have seen a prime minister in full panic mode," Mr Shorten told reporters in Sydney on Monday.