It is probable that even if the legal challenge over the validity of the "captain's picks" to save Mr Morrison's factional allies from being disendorsed by the rank and file had not occurred, the PM would still be sitting on his hands.

Why? Because it is in his interest to keep the caretaker period as absolutely short as possible. And, although there is a widespread expectation the election will be declared this weekend, the reality is Mr Morrison has until April 18 to call an election for May 21. If he has his heart set on May 14 then he needs to call the election on or before Monday.

These are now the only two possible election dates given a minimum of 33 days has to elapse between an election being called and polling day.

The government's announcement of the usual plethora of "grace and favour" appointments for outgoing MPs and friends of the Coalition this week was just one reminder of why the Prime Minister won't plunge his government into caretaker mode until he has ticked off as many items on what is likely to be an extensive "to do" list as possible.

His announcement of the self-propelled howitzer project at Avalon in Victoria on Friday is another. Once the election is called the announcables suddenly dry up. You can't do anything that would commit the next government to a course of action it might not be in favour of.

By putting off becoming a "caretaker" for as long as possible Mr Morrison is also hoping to give himself time to shepherd the high percentage of undecided voters back into the LNP camp.

Another factor to bear in mind is that given the ways the polls are tracking there is a high likelihood he won't be back in the Lodge this winter. It's only human to try to hang onto power for as long as you possibly can.

The unfortunate, and probably unintended, consequence of the PM's coy evasiveness of recent days has been to make an electorate that is already cynical about its politicians even more so.

We are in the absurd position where, while everybody knows that the election is now six weeks away at the very most and all the players have been actively campaigning for over a month, it still hasn't been called.

This has, once again, highlighted the risks inherent in putting the power to name the date in hands of just one person - the prime minister. Barnaby Joyce, the Deputy Prime Minister, said as much last week when he was asked about the poll date. He told reporters that it was entirely up to Mr Morrison but that he was backing in May 21.

The best way to get around the problems that arise from the politicisation of the power to call an election is to move to a fixed parliamentary term. NSW and the ACT are among the jurisdictions that have gone down this path with considerable success.

Voters have certainty the government they elect will run its full term, the length of the caretaker period is clearly defined, and the adoption of a four-year term produces healthier outcomes than the significantly shorter federal cycle where a snap election can be called at any time the prime minister finds convenient.

Given the confusion caused by the messy and protracted leadup to this year's election it would make sense for whoever wins next month to seek bi-partisan support for a referendum on a fixed four-year federal parliamentary term. Voters would welcome the certainty.

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