Advice on the next steps if the Greens continue to delay a signature housing proposal, including the potential for a double dissolution of parliament, is being sought by the federal government.

The Greens delayed the proposed $10 billion housing future fund until October – with the support of the opposition – in the Senate.

They cited a lack of support for renters and said the delay would allow Labor to negotiate rent reforms with state and territory leaders.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese told his partyroom colleagues the Greens’ action to defer the bill could be taken as a “block” and the government was seeking advice.

The constitutional advice could relate to the triggers required for a double dissolution of parliament resulting in an early election.

Mr Albanese said the Greens brought a “juvenile student politics approach” to negotiations that needed to be exposed.

“They say they tried to push us further, the reality is they blocked it,” he said.

“Their proposal would result in less supply and less investment, which would make the problem worse.”

Asked if the legislation would be brought back, Housing Minister Julie Collins said the government would look at “all the options available”.

“What we want to do is get on with the job of delivering homes,” she said.

“We’re working with our partners in the states and territories, local government and the community housing sector to deliver homes each and every day, and we’re going to continue to do that.”

A Greens partyroom meeting was told the decision to defer the housing bill was “unprecedented”.

Greens leader Adam Bandt told reporters the ball was firmly in the government’s court.

“If the government and Labor act on rising rents and out-of-control rent increases, then this bill can pass the Senate when it comes back,” he said.

“What position the Greens take when the bill comes back will be influenced in large part by what governments around the country, including the prime minister, are prepared to do on soaring rents.”

Mr Bandt rejected suggestions what the Greens did amounted to the first step towards a double dissolution trigger.

The Greens have called for a parliamentary inquiry into rent affordability and rights, with an interim report to be published in September.

The government has separately announced a $2 billion commitment for social housing, to be shared among the states and territories.

Greens housing spokesman Max Chandler-Mather said the extra funding was a sign the government was willing to act on Greens’ demands.

Independent senator David Pocock said it was disappointing the Greens and coalition delayed the legislation after months of negotiations where the government made concessions.

“I don’t see who wins by kicking this to October,” he said.

“My view is that we now bank these wins, we get on with building new social and affordable housing our community so desperately needs across the country.”

Senator Pocock said there were 300 people every day nationwide having requests for emergency accommodation denied.

Advocates called on the Greens to support the legislation in its existing form, warning Australia was facing a housing crisis.

Tess Ikonomou, Andrew Brown and Maeve Bannister
(Australian Associated Press)