Why do we have federal elections every three years?
Ballot box graphic
Parliamentary Education Office (peo.gov.au)
Ballot box graphic
Parliamentary Education Office (peo.gov.au)
Description
This graphic is a representation of a ballot papers being placed into a ballot boxes.
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Great question! The answer is because it is a rule in the Australian Constitution.
Section 28 of the Australian Constitution says that each House of Representatives formed after a federal election will continue for 3 years from the date of the first meeting, but not any longer. An election can be earlier than 3 years if requested by the Prime Minister and approved by the Governor-General.