Christopher Pyne has spoken on the Today Show saying that a double dissolution is a live option. Courtesy: Today Show/Nine Network

OPPOSITION leader Bill Shorten says the government is threatening an early election to cover up for a lack of an economic plan.

Coalition strategists are weighing up whether to use the blocking of workplace laws in the Senate as a July double-dissolution election trigger.

Cabinet minister Christopher Pyne today said a double dissolution election remained a “live option” with $30 billion of savings being blocked by the Senate.

Mr Pyne said the Federal Government’s efforts to address bracket creep and curb Australia’s ballooning debt were being hampered by Labor and the crossbench, along with attempts to clean up union corruption in the construction industry.

“The Greens are more co-operative than Labor and the crossbench,” he told the Nine Network.

But Mr Shorten said government members were like magicians trying to make voters look somewhere other than where the trick was taking place.

AGGRESSIVE CAMPAIGN: Abbott, Bishop could face challenge

“They need to stop threatening the Australian people with the threat of early elections, just to cover up their lack of action on the economy of Australia,” Mr Shorten said.

The latest a double-dissolution election could be called is May 11, the day after the budget is delivered.

Mr Shorten said voters wanted to know what the government planned to do on tax reform, school and hospital funding, tackling climate change and providing jobs.

“I and Labor do not intend just to run a happy second — what we will do between now and the election (is) try our hardest not only to be a strong opposition but to be a strong alternative government.”

According to a report by Fairfax Media, senior ministers and party strategists have all confirmed an early poll and a double dissolution election.

An early election would have to be called no later than May 11 and held no later than July 16.

Senior Labor figure Anthony Albanese took a swipe at the government saying it had no plan for the economy, just talking points.

He said the Liberal leadership change in September had achieved nothing.

“The whole of Australia was pleased when we got rid of Mr Angry and we got Mr Smiley.

“Now we know that what we’ve got is Mr Waffle.”

But Treasurer Scott Morrison said the government’s plan for jobs, economic growth and tax relief would be outlined in the May budget.

“The budget is in May, the election is later in the year,” Mr Morrison told 3AW radio.

“The budget will be there ... for everyone to see and the election will be held after the budget and that gives everyone the opportunity to have their say.”

Greens Leader Richard Di Natale said his party was ready for the election.

It will present a strong platform on climate change, tax reform — including addressing the growing gap between the rich and the poor — and making a transition towards a new innovative economy, he told ABC TV.

“They’re the sort of things that need to happen at this election and we’re going to be ready whenever it happens.”

Christopher Pyne jokes about Blankety Blank Christopher Pyne jokes that he would have made a good host of former game show Blankety Blank. Courtesy: Today Show/Nine Network

The Greens have come under fire for proposing the decriminalisation of ice and the testing of party pills.

Greens leader Richard Di Natale and Queensland Senator Larissa Waters will tell a ­national drug summit next month that drug addicts should be able to use without fear of being charged. They also want law enforcement resources ­diverted to rehab services.

On a lighter note, Mr Pyne has done his best to sidestep more questions on the timing of the election with a somewhat odd reminiscence to 1970s TV game show Blankety Blanks.

Making his weekly appearance on Nine’s Today show alongside Labor opponent Anthony Albanese, Mr Pyne wouldn’t say more than the election was due in September.

When pushed further, he deflected by recalling his enjoyment of the long-gone panel show hosted by Graham Kennedy — or a potential election strategy.

“I would have been good at Blankety Blanks. All you had to do was pick what the audience was saying was the most likely thing. The easiest show in the world,” Mr Pyne mused, while Today host Karl Stefanovic broke out in laughter.