![David Coleman says fixed four-year terms would bring 'substantial benefits to the nation'.](/web/20160809093028im_/http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/content/dam/images/z/r/0/4/i/image.related.landscape.460x307.gq9l6f.png/1469081459380.jpg)
Liberal MP proposes four-year-terms referendum
Liberal MP David Coleman says Australia should hold a referendum in 2019 and set fixed four year terms for the federal parliament.
James Massola is chief political reporter in the Canberra bureau. He was a Walkley finalist in 2015 and has worked in the federal press gallery for eight years, including stints for The Australian Financial Review and The Australian before joining the Sydney Morning Herald and The Age.
Liberal MP David Coleman says Australia should hold a referendum in 2019 and set fixed four year terms for the federal parliament.
Treasurer Scott Morrison has warned big changes to the federal government's proposed superannuation policies could deliver a half a billion dollar hit to the federal budget.
Labor leader Bill Shorten may be planning larger than expected changes to his frontbench, with rising star Jim Chalmers in the running to move into shadow cabinet.
The federal government could crack down on unregulated text messages and robocalls used by political parties.
Malcolm Turnbull has snubbed conservative MPs pushing for promotion, stripped two female cabinet ministers of portfolio responsibilities and rewarded key supporters and the National Party in a larger than expected reshuffle.
Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull will unveil a reshuffled front bench on Monday afternoon that boosts the number of Nationals MPs in the ministry and is tipped to promote younger conservative talent.
Coalition hopes are rising that it will be able to claim the votes needed to re-establish the construction watchdog and set up a Registered Organisations commission, with senator-elect Pauline Hanson and her two colleagues likely to have a key say in deciding the fate of the laws.
Malcolm Turnbull is certain to form government, but it will be days before it is clear if the prime minister will have to rely on the cross bench to prop up the Coalition.
"After the longest campaign in 50 years, this could well be one of the shortest parliaments in 50 years."
Malcolm Turnbull's bid to hang on to prime ministership has received a boost.
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