Hold referendum to break gridlock: Abbott

Senate gridlock is making Australia increasingly resemble Italy, former prime minister Tony Abbott believes.

Mr Abbott is proposing a constitutional referendum be held to enable governments to govern, so a joint sitting of both houses can take place to pass deadlocked bills without a double-dissolution election.

"In the end, the government of the day has to be allowed to govern -- and not with one hand tied behind its back because its legislation can't pass," he is expected to say in a speech according to The Australian on Saturday.