Dissolution speculation dismissed

LABOR'S Senate leader Chris Evans has thrown cold water on double-dissolution speculation as the Government prepares for the new Senate, which comes in on July 1 although it will not meet until late August.

Senator Evans has warned his lower house ministerial colleagues that they need a better understanding of the upper house so they can negotiate legislation through. "The Senate is a mystery to many of them."

The Senate resumes today for its last two weeks under Opposition control. In the new Senate, the balance of power will be held by Family First, independent Nick Xenophon and the Greens.

The Opposition's pledge to vote against some budget measures and its threat to others has led to speculation about a double dissolution if the Government faces serious obstruction.

But Senator Evans, in an interview with The Age, firmly played down the possibility.