Australian government threatens end run amid political deadlock


Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott speaks in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington June 12, 2014. REUTERS/Larry Downing

SYDNEY (Reuters) - Australia's conservative government may seek to bypass the Senate if its unpopular budget measures remain stalled in the chamber, Treasurer Joe Hockey warned on Wednesday, as a showdown festers over its foundering austerity agenda.

Prime Minister Tony Abbott's Liberal-National coalition has a decisive majority in the lower house, but needs the support of senators from the Palmer United Party (PUP) of mining magnate Clive Palmer's in the upper house to pass legislation.

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