What options does the government have in the event of a deadlock between the two houses?

The correct choice highlights the government's options in addressing a deadlock between the two legislative houses, specifically through a double dissolution or calling for a joint sitting.

A double dissolution is a procedure outlined in the Australian Constitution, allowing the Governor-General to dissolve both the House of Representatives and the Senate simultaneously when there is a deadlock that cannot be resolved through normal parliamentary processes. This can happen if, for example, the Senate repeatedly rejects legislation passed by the House or fails to pass a bill in a specific timeframe. The double dissolution aims to enable voters to elect new members in the hope of breaking the impasse.

In addition to this, a joint sitting of both houses can be called after a double dissolution election, where members from both chambers convene to vote on the contentious legislation. This approach fosters collaboration and provides a fresh opportunity for the passage of laws that have faced repeated obstruction.

Other options presented do not align with established parliamentary procedures for resolving deadlocks. For example, constitutional amendments and executive orders generally require extensive processes outside the context of resolving legislative impasses. Similarly, initiating a voting moratorium or statewide elections would be more extreme measures and not standard procedures for addressing legislative disagreements. Establishing temporary rules or reallocating voting powers does not fit within the established