The $10 billion Housing Australia Future Fund stalled in the Senate before the winter break after the coalition and Greens refused to play ball, pushing debate off until at least October.

Labor will bring the legislation back before the lower house next week to get the ball rolling again.

Albanese said his government would use every available tool to progress its social and affordable housing fund.

“Reintroducing this bill gives the coalition and the Greens an opportunity to stop playing politics and support a $10 billion housing fund that the Australian people clearly need and support,” the prime minister said.

“We’re not giving up on Australians who need and deserve the security of a roof over their head.”

Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles downplayed suggestions the bill could be used as a double dissolution trigger, giving the government room to call an early election, if the Greens and the coalition reject it for a second time.

“This isn’t about elections, this is about getting more housing,” Marles said.

“This is about making sure that we get a much greater supply through the $10 billion Housing Australia Future Fund.”

A double dissolution can be called if a piece of legislation is defeated twice in the Senate and would see all seats in the upper house up for election instead of half, as normal.

Acting Opposition Leader Sussan Ley said Labor’s move on the housing fund bill showed arrogance.

“The policy does not stack up and meanwhile their economy-wrecking approach is making it more and more expensive to build a home,” she told Seven’s Sunrise program.

“What we need now is an urgent plan to tackle inflation, not threats about an early election.”

Housing Minister Julie Collins urged the Senate to back the bill.

“One thing I’ve heard loud and clear is that we cannot afford any delays,” she said.

“Every day of delay is $1.3 million less that can be spent on housing Australians in need.”

But Ley said the fund would not fix the issue.

“This is woefully inadequate to address the crisis, it’s a policy that doesn’t stack up,” she said.

“It’s just a fund which … would become a new house, perhaps.”

Earlier this week, the construction union launched a major campaign for a super profits tax on Australia’s richest companies to pay for social housing, which the prime minister quickly ruled out.

-AAP