Who do you want to lead you?: PM

Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull says the federal election will be about who Australians want to lead the nation as the economy transitions.

In an early pitch to voters, Mr Turnbull said the poll would be about moving from the mining construction boom to the new economy.

"Who is best able to ensure that we promote investment, secure jobs, encourage technology and promote innovation," he told reporters in Canberra on Monday.

Despite renewed speculation about an early-July double-dissolution election, Mr Turnbull expects voters to go to the polls between August and October.

He urged crossbench senators, who have most to lose from a double-dissolution election, to support government legislation restoring the building and construction industry watchdog.

"It is a vital part of economic reform, it's a vital part of securing our prosperity," he said.

If the Senate rejects the legislation a second time, it will become a trigger for a double-dissolution of parliament.

"While all constitutional options remain open my expectation is, my assumption is, the election will be held in the normal way at the normal time which is August, September, October," Mr Turnbull said.