Instead, the Government this afternoon announced it would introduce legislation to cut the number of MPs in the Upper House, which would make it harder for minor parties and independents to be elected.

The Government also wants to cut Upper House members’ terms in half and abolish fixed, four-year terms for government itself. This would give whichever party is in government a further advantage by letting it chose the election date.

Under the Government’s proposal, this would happen if it had a dispute over legislation with the Upper House.

The Liberal Party called the announcement a stunt to divert attention away from its handling of water, jobs, health and education issues.