Government MP makes push for four-year terms

Liberal MP David Coleman is set to introduce a private members bill pushing to end the current three-year terms and give governments four years in parliament instead.

In an opinion piece published by Fairfax, Coleman said three years was not enough time for governments to make good on election promises and that a four-year term reduced the impact of “political drama”.

“A fixed, four-year term reduces the impact of short-term political drama, and allows for a more strategic approach to decision-making,” he wrote.

“Economic activity would increase. Both businesses and consumers tend to hold off on investment during election periods – and the phony war that precedes them,” and in addition, “consistency with the states would be achieved. Every state except Tasmania now has fixed four-year terms.”

Coleman says he has discussed the bill with constitutional law experts including George Williams and Anne Twomey, senior Coalition colleagues and some ALP members.

The idea would likely find widespread support from the Labor party who have previously argued for the change.

All state government’s, aside from Tasmania, currently run on a four-year term system, so any changes to the federal system would seek to streamline the process even more.

Both Coalition and Labor governments have struggled to fulfil election promises while being plagued with in-fighting over the past few terms. There is hope that a four-year term would give them more time iron out issues and drive policy through parliament.

Do you think four-year terms are a good idea? Or should we stick with the system we’ve got?