The normal duration of an Australian Federal Government is about three years, although often some people talk about wanting to extend it to a longer period.
Currently a government MUST call an Election within 3 years 20 weeks and 4 days after the last election. This period has been calculated from a page on the AEC that stated: The latest possible date for a House of Representatives election is Saturday, 16 April 2011
The durations of the previous Australian Federal Governments, since 1951, have been:
Election Date
- 21 Aug 2010 after 2 years, 38 weeks, 5 days.
- 24 Nov 2007 after 3 years, 6 weeks, 4 days. (Longest term in this list)
- 09 Oct 2004 after 2 years, 47 weeks, 5 days.
- 10 Nov 2001 after 3 years, 5 weeks, 4 days.
- 03 Oct 1998 after 2 years, 30 weeks, 5 days.
- 02 Mar 1996 after 2 years, 50 weeks, 5 days.
- 13 Mar 1993 after 2 years, 50 weeks, 5 days.
- 24 Mar 1990 after 2 years, 36 weeks, 5 days.
- 11 Jul 1987 after 2 years, 31 weeks, 5 days.
- 01 Dec 1984 after 1 year, 38 weeks, 6 days.
- 05 Mar 1983 after 2 years, 19 weeks, 5 days.
- 18 Oct 1980 after 2 years, 44 weeks, 5 days.
- 10 Dec 1977 after 1 year, 51 weeks, 6 days.
- 13 Dec 1975 after 1 year, 29 weeks, 6 days.
- 18 May 1974 after 1 year, 23 weeks, 6 days.
- 02 Dec 1972 after 3 years, 5 weeks, 4 days.
- 25 Oct 1969 after 2 years, 47 weeks, 5 days.
- 26 Nov 1966 after 2 years, 51 weeks, 5 days.
- 30 Nov 1963 after 1 year, 50 weeks, 6 days.
- 09 Dec 1961 after 3 years, 2 weeks, 4 days.
- 22 Nov 1958 after 2 years, 49 weeks, 5 days.
- 10 Dec 1955 after 1 year, 27 weeks, 6 days.
- 29 May 1954 after 3 years, 4 weeks, 4 days.
- 28 Apr 1951 after 1 year, 19 weeks, 6 days.