FEAR & GREED | Business News Q+A: Will we see four-year terms in Canberra?
Sep 3, 2025
The federal government is considering a major shift to fixed four-year parliamentary terms. This move could enhance political stability but faces challenges, including the need for a referendum. The discussion highlights historical reforms and debates around increasing House of Representatives seats in response to growing population demands. Additionally, there's a focus on how these changes might impact the political landscape, including potential benefits for rebuilding parties and improved governance consistency.
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Make Election Timing Predictable
- Fixing election dates removes political timing advantages and reduces uncertainty for businesses and voters.
- Four-year terms align the federal cycle with most states and give governments more time to govern rather than campaign.
Fix The Date To Reduce Uncertainty
- Avoid flexible election timing because it politicises the date and creates uncertainty for planning.
- Fix the date to improve predictability for businesses, individuals, and government operations.
Referendum Is The Real Barrier
- Four-year terms have broad bipartisan support historically but changing them requires clearing the high bar of a referendum.
- Australia has a poor referendum track record, so political calculation and public persuasion matter greatly.