Australia's second-longest serving prime minister, John Howard, says it is too pessimistic to claim that economic and political reform is no longer possible in the era of the 24-hour news cycle.

And he has singled out the recently re-elected New Zealand Prime Minister John Key for praise, pointing out that Mr Key had achieved significant reforms - which included a rise in the GST - before going on to secure an increased majority.

Former prime minister John Howard says the 24-hour media cycle should not hamper economic and political reform. Credit:Andrew Meares

But Mr Howard, who has previously advocated the broadening of the GST base so that it applies to fresh food, declined to buy in to debate about Australia's consumption tax.

"I regard that [blaming the 24-hour media cycle] as a too-pessimistic view of the modern political environment. Last weekend you saw in New Zealand a prime minister who has had a very strong reformist agenda returned with an increased majority, a remarkable result," he said.