fixed terms

Fixed termsFixed terms

A term is the amount of time between A term is the amount of time between elections, so a fixed term is where there is elections, so a fixed term is where there is a set amount of time between elections, a set amount of time between elections, so the election has to happen around the so the election has to happen around the date that the fixed term expires.date that the fixed term expires.

Fixed termsFixed terms

Should the federal Should the federal government adopt four year government adopt four year

fixed terms?fixed terms?

Pro’s of fixed termsPro’s of fixed terms

► If there were to be fixed terms the If there were to be fixed terms the government would not be able to call government would not be able to call early elections to avoid hard decisions early elections to avoid hard decisions that may anger the public, and cause that may anger the public, and cause them to vote for the other party.them to vote for the other party.

►The debating period (the time in which The debating period (the time in which they try to get the peoples vote) will they try to get the peoples vote) will be a lot longer as there will be no be a lot longer as there will be no rushed election campaigns.rushed election campaigns.


►Reducing cost of elections – A most Reducing cost of elections – A most tangible benefit associated with the tangible benefit associated with the introduction of longer parliamentary terms introduction of longer parliamentary terms is the associated reduction of costs is the associated reduction of costs involved with in running elections. involved with in running elections. Australia should not have held more than Australia should not have held more than 32 elections in the last century. Instead 32 elections in the last century. Instead they have held 38, amounting to a they have held 38, amounting to a significant additional cost of between $800 significant additional cost of between $800 million and $1 billion in today’s money.million and $1 billion in today’s money.


► Improved policy making – The frequency Improved policy making – The frequency of elections has major ramifications for of elections has major ramifications for sound government policy. Under our sound government policy. Under our unfixed, 3 year terms, governments unfixed, 3 year terms, governments have difficulty reconciling careful and have difficulty reconciling careful and deliberate policy making. Because of the deliberate policy making. Because of the trend towards continuous campaigning, trend towards continuous campaigning, there is a tendency instead to adopt there is a tendency instead to adopt short-term expedient policies to ensure short-term expedient policies to ensure electoral success.electoral success.


► Improved debate – Greater time Improved debate – Greater time between elections could arguably raise between elections could arguably raise the standard of political debates. More the standard of political debates. More in-depth and genuine cross party in-depth and genuine cross party discussions on policy issues would be discussions on policy issues would be possible without the influence of a possible without the influence of a looming election can continuous looming election can continuous campaigning in the third year of a campaigning in the third year of a term.term.

Pro’s of fixed terms.Pro’s of fixed terms.

► Increased business confidence – The Increased business confidence – The private sector has long campaigned private sector has long campaigned that the short federal election cycle that the short federal election cycle has a negative impact on long-term has a negative impact on long-term business planning and confidence, and business planning and confidence, and therefore the national economy.therefore the national economy.


►Voter dislike of frequent elections – As Voter dislike of frequent elections – As Australia has federal, state and Australia has federal, state and territory, and local government territory, and local government elections there is public unease, if not elections there is public unease, if not irritation, at the frequency of elections. irritation, at the frequency of elections. Arguably this is also linked with an Arguably this is also linked with an increasing dislike for the highly increasing dislike for the highly adversarial nature of party politics.adversarial nature of party politics.

Cons of fixed termsCons of fixed terms

►May detract from frequent May detract from frequent opportunities for accountability to opportunities for accountability to voters.voters.

►Longer, more expensive election Longer, more expensive election campaigns may result.campaigns may result.

►An early election can solve a political An early election can solve a political crisis if a government loses its crisis if a government loses its majority in the lower house.majority in the lower house.

Cons of fixed termsCons of fixed terms

► Trust in the inherent wisdom of voters is Trust in the inherent wisdom of voters is only relevant once in every four years.only relevant once in every four years.

► Members of the parliament obtain a greater Members of the parliament obtain a greater security than normal.security than normal.

► Public may endure a longer period of a Public may endure a longer period of a government that may have lost popular government that may have lost popular support.support.

► Does not change the promotion and Does not change the promotion and manipulation of candidates in the period manipulation of candidates in the period before the election.before the election.

ConsConsof fixed termsof fixed terms

► Instability may be prolonged where Instability may be prolonged where the government is reliant on the government is reliant on crossbenches for support.crossbenches for support.

►A government with a small majority A government with a small majority facing competing demands does not facing competing demands does not have to recourse to an election to have to recourse to an election to establish a clear mandate.establish a clear mandate.

►A fixed date may prove to be A fixed date may prove to be inconvenient due to unforseen inconvenient due to unforseen circumstancescircumstances

Our groups opinionOur groups opinion

► We believe that maximum terms are better We believe that maximum terms are better as the pro’s of maximum terms clearly as the pro’s of maximum terms clearly outweigh those of the fixed terms. the most outweigh those of the fixed terms. the most beneficial feature of maximum terms is if a beneficial feature of maximum terms is if a government does become corrupt, there can government does become corrupt, there can be an election held and the people can be an election held and the people can decide on which party/leader is best for decide on which party/leader is best for them.them.

► In conclusion we do not believe the In conclusion we do not believe the government should adopt fixed terms.government should adopt fixed terms.

fixed terms

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