In the blizzard of news over recent months, you might have missed a proposal out of Canberra which has the potential to go down like a lead balloon with voters: significantly expanding the number of federal MPs.

The Herald ’s Paul Sakkal and Shane Wright broke this news last month , telling readers that the Albanese government was toying with once-in-a-generation changes to the democratic process that have been avoided because the proposals have previously proved controversial.

Special Minister of State Don Farrell has asked a parliamentary committee to examine whether Australia needs more electorates, and whether we should have fixed four-year terms. The latter is a no-brainer, but would require a referendum. The former can be achieved easily via legislation.

Herald columnist Geor

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