The Abbott government is stuck in a "policy paralysis" that has seen fewer bills finalised in its first 700 days in office than any other federal government since the late 1960s.

The Fairfax Media analysis of post-World War II Australian governments was conducted after the federal cabinet was reported to have met without any formal submissions last week and MPs despaired at time-filling debates in Parliament.

Canberra ranked fourth out of the five Australian cities included on a list of the world's most liveable cities. Credit:Glen McCurtayne

According to the analysis, 262 bills have passed both houses of Parliament and been signed by the Governor-General during the Abbott government's first 700 days. This is the lowest number since the Liberal Party's John Gorton became prime minister in 1968 and passed 259 bills over the same time period.

In the same period of Julia Gillard's minority government, 329 bills were ticked off, compared to 397 for Kevin Rudd and 292 for John Howard.