Put Libs out of their misery: Plibersek

Labor deputy leader Tanya Plibersek has not ruled out seeking the support of crossbench MPs for a no confidence motion in the Morrison government.

Such a move could trigger an early federal election well before it is due in May 2019.

Asked on Sky News on Saturday night - in the wake of independent Kerryn Phelps' win in the Wentworth by-election - whether Labor would test confidence on the floor of parliament, Ms Plibersek said: "That's all yet to be determined."

"We've been saying for some time this government is so desperate and chaotic, dysfunctional and divided, the best thing they could do is hold an election," she said.

"I think it would be the best thing possible to put this government out of its misery sooner rather than later."

Ms Plibersek said the historic swing in Wentworth showed voters believed Scott Morrison's government was out of touch with mainstream Australia.