The federal government will try to push more than 50 pieces of legislation through parliament this week as it clears the decks ahead of a possible election in August or September.

Included in the long list of bills needing approval are Labor's plans to expand welfare quarantining, previously limited to some indigenous communities, to around the country.

The government's legislative timetable is being hamstrung by the Senate's reluctance to prolong scheduled sitting times beyond the norm and past Thursday.

The upper house already has 50 bills to consider even before the House of Representatives possibly sends it another 22 pieces of legislation for approval.

Election speculation is rampant as Labor insiders debate the merits of a spring poll.