Can four-year terms make it out of the too-hard basket?

Four-year parliamentary terms have garnered support across the political spectrum, yet remain elusive. Anthony Albanese, along with previous leaders John Howard, Kevin Rudd and Malcolm Turnbull, backs the idea, but acknowledges the need for a referendum. Marty Gray, founder of 4 Year Terms Australia, believes longer terms could foster more bold reforms, as governments have only one viable budget cycle in a three-year system.

The proposed system would also eliminate the unpredictability surrounding election dates, which typically gives incumbents an advantage. A report by 4 Year Terms Australia suggests the reform could generate up to $93 billion in economic activity annually. However, critics argue that governments would be unlikely to prioritize difficult reforms under fixed terms, citing decades of experience with state-level fixed terms that haven't improved governance.

The constitutional change required for this reform is significant, necessitating support from a majority of Australians and states. So far, every attempt at introducing four-year terms has failed, most notably in 1988 and 2017. While some countries, including New Zealand, have adopted four-year terms, Australia is one of only two liberal democracies with a three-year term.

Despite the support, the Labor Party has ruled out another referendum on the issue, and while the prime minister has expressed sympathy for the cause, it remains a challenging uphill battle.