Voters aren't as willing to give political parties a second chance as they once were.
Union leaders at the ALP national conference say there are lessons to be learned from the last Victorian and Queensland state elections where first term Liberal governments were voted out.
Australian Education Union deputy national secretary Pat Forward says state and federal governments that don't stick by their word face harsh judgment from voters.
"The level of tolerance for parties breaking their policies once they come into power is very low and the electorate is prepared to make harsh judgments on that," she told AAP.
"Parties need to stick to the messages they're elected on, and it's a lesson.
It's not just a lesson for the Liberal party, but one Labor must take notice of too, she said.
ACTU president Ged Kearney said the fact voters rejected second term governments in two states already meant it could happen again at a state level, or even federally.
Australia has not had a single term federal government in 80 years.
"The Australian people have said 'hang on we know what Australia it is that we need, we know what Australian society we have and you're not delivering it', and they're prepared to say it these days," Ms Kearney said.
Australian Services Union national secretary Linda White said the change of government in Victoria after one term had created a sense of optimism because promises were being delivered.
"They talk to people, they fix their position and they prosecute it, and they'll listen to other points of view as well," she said.
"They are always going to be for the 'Big V' and having them put that position is not only going to be good for Victorians but it's going to be good for Australians."
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