Australian Election Study shows voters prefer four-year federal terms

The Australian Election Study released today has found that Australian voters prefer moving to four-year terms for the federal government. The study found that 42% of voters prefer four-year terms compared to only 30% for our current three-year term. 28% of voters don’t have a preference.

The study also shows there is support for more referendums, which is required to extend parliamentary terms. It found that 38% of voters want more referendums, compared to only 28% who want fewer referendums.

The Australian Election Study is the leading study of political attitudes and behaviour in Australia, run by the Australian National University and Griffith University. The study has surveyed voters since 1987 to provide independent analysis on voter trends.

The need for longer terms is further highlighted by the recently launched McKinnon Democracy Index. It found over half of Australians do not believe that federal politicians follow up and deliver on their commitments. Also 43% believed that federal politicians lack the capability to solve long-term challenges.

These findings come as the Federal Government has tasked a Parliamentary Inquiry with investigating parliamentary term lengths and the introduction of a fixed election date. A similar inquiry in New Zealand led to legislation being introduced this year to move to four-year terms, subject to a referendum.

Marty Gray, founder of 4 Year Terms Australia, said: “Australia has one of the world’s shortest parliamentary terms. On average, we face a federal election campaign every two years and eight months.”

“There is clear public support for longer parliamentary terms. There is also a recognition that our federal government is too short-term focused, which is a direct result of our short election cycle.”

“Moving the Federal Government four-year terms with a fixed election date means governments can spend more time delivering rather than campaigning. This would deliver more than $60 billion in productivity and economic benefits through better decision-making, greater business certainty and lower election costs.”

“TheParliamentary Inquiry looking at this includes representatives from multiple parties; including Jerome Laxale, Richard Colbeck, Steph Hodgins-May and Monique Ryan. This Inquiry is critical to build consensus across political parties to fix our parliamentary terms.”