The three-year terms for federal MPs are too short, the Prime Minister says, but he admits changes to the time they spend in Parliament are unlikely to happen anytime soon.
Anthony Albanese said it was a shame a federal parliamentary term would not soon be extended to four years, despite states and territories having longer limits.
“Our terms are short by just three years,” Albanese told reporters in Sydney on Wednesday.
“There have been a few attempts in the past to fix that, and it’s very difficult to change that.”
Labour’s national platform said fixed four-year terms for the House of Representatives and Senate should be considered.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese (photo) believes that the three-year term for federal MPs is too short
Labour’s national platform believes that fixed four-year terms for the House of Representatives and the Senate should be considered. However, changes would only come about through a successful referendum (photo, Parliament House in Canberra)
But any change in how long MPs serve in parliament would require a successful referendum.
“Our position, our long-term policy, and we have put it to the Australian people, is for a four-year term, but I don’t expect that to happen anytime soon,” Mr Albanese said.
“That’s a shame, every state has four years.”
The next federal election is scheduled for May 2025, but could be held earlier if the prime minister wants to go to the polls earlier.
Mr Albanese has previously said he wants to serve his full term as prime minister.
He did not say whether snap elections would be held when asked if they would take place in 2024.
“We are focused on governing during the year,” he said.
