Auggie wrote on May 31
st, 2020 at 12:36pm:
In order to strengthen federalism in Australia, I propose a 4/6 model for the Federal Parliament.
This means:
- 4 years for the House of Representatives
- 6 years for the Senate.
Now, the Senate will consist of 40 senators (instead of the current 76). Each State will elect 6 senators (territories 2). Rather than electing one-half of the Senate every time we choose the House of Representatives, one-third of the States choose their senators every 2, 4 and 6 years.
E.g.
First group of senators (NSW and WA) retire after 2 years (and then 6 years thereafter);
Second ground (QLD and VIC) retire after 4 years (and then 6 thereafter);
Third ground (SA and TAS, NT and ACT) retire after 6 years (and then 6 years thereafter);
The benefit of choosing the Senate and House of Representatives at different times is that it will make federal politicians give more focus on issues relating to the specific States during that election cycle. At the moment, Senate elections are always overshadowed by House of Reps elections, and so this doesn't give voters the opportunity to focus their attention of their own State.
Of course, the 4 year term will put House of Reps elections in line with State lower Houses, all of which are now 4 years. Considering that the federal government has expanded its responsibilities since federation, it makes sense to give them more time.
I like the idea of a 4 year term, but I would prefer the model as seen in Victoria, where the Upper House and Lower House are both elected on the same day.
No more "unrepresentative swill" in the Upper House.
You get what you voted for.
True, you might end up with 4 years of things happening that you don't like ... but you get the chance to turf them after that 4 years.