United Turnbull govt can survive: Howard

Former prime minister John Howard believes if the Turnbull government is disciplined and united it can survive, despite holding a one-seat majority.

Asked to compare the current government to the one-seat majority government under Sir Robert Menzies, Mr Howard pointed out the latter's greatest asset was the coalition was "superbly disciplined behind an understandable, well-articulated agenda".

"There is no reason why the government, the current government can't survive three years," he told the National Press Club in Canberra on Wednesday.