You'd have to be crazy not to want a senate keeping checks and balances on whatever the government of the day wants to do.
If the government of the day is pushing reasonable legislation through the senate it will pass. If it does not, you go to a double dissolution and the people will have their voice. That's true democracy.
As for fixed terms, I think they're a good idea. Three or four years, doesn't matter. I do see the argument for going to four terms so that governments have time to get things done.
