Labor electorates split on daylight saving trial plan

CourierMail.com.au

LABOR MPs have presented the views of their electorates to Premier Anna Bligh ahead of the Government's decision on whether to support a daylight saving referendum. 

The party's 51 members met to present surveys of their electorates on a proposal to trial a southeast Queensland daylight-saving zone ahead of a referendum.

Regional electorates are predicted to oppose the proposal to split the state into two time zones during summer, while southeast Queensland seats are likely to be more divided.

The daylight saving proposal, put before State Parliament by Independent MP Peter Wellington, is due to be debated later this year.

Ms Bligh yesterday said it was too early to tell what position the Government would take.

``We are not going to rush into this (and) we are not going to make a decision without talking to Queenslanders,'' she said.

Ms Bligh said caucus members had been asked to present their electorates' views while public consultation continues on the Government's website.

``Some people have had a positive response, some negative,'' Ms Bligh said.

``Until I see it all and collate it I am not in a position to say what all of that tells us.''

Ms Bligh said the Government would also discuss whether MPs should have a free vote on the issue rather than being tied to a majority opinion.

Labor MPs have been issued formal spreadsheets to complete with the names, email addresses and employment status of respondents.

Liberal National MPs are not surveying their electorates.

Daylight Saving back on Queensland's political agenda as Government seeks people's feedback

Daylight Saving is a step closer in Queensland with the State Government launching a series of newspaper advertisements across the state urging feedback from voters as to the Government's position on a Private Member's Bill introduced by the independent Member for Nicklin Peter Wellington.

People are being urged to reply by email on two questions posed by Premier Anna Bligh:

1. Do you think all Queenslanders should have a referendum on Daylight Saving for South East Queensland only?

2. Should Queensland have a trial of Daylight Saving in South East Queensland before any referendum?

Voters can logon at www.thepremier.qld.gov.au to respond.

Surveys should that up to 70% of voters in South East Queensland support daylight saving, so why doesn't the Government simply introduce it for next summer and bring Queensland into line with the southern states?

Daylight Saving for South East Queensland would make the voters of SEQ happy and would not force daylight saving on rural and regional Queensland, creating a compromise for all Queenslanders.

A split time zone works in Broken Hill in New South Wales which is permanently on South Australian time.

There is no reason a split time zone would not work in Queensland.

This is the first time since Queensland was created in 1859 that a Government has specifically sought public feedback as to how it should vote on a Bill - maybe it should make this a permanent feature of Queensland democracy.


PaulGTully@gmail.com

MP attacks daylight saving push

ABC.net.au

Liz Cunningham, the Member for Gladstone in central Queensland, says splitting the state into two time zones for daylight saving is ridiculous.

Ms Cunningham says most people do not want daylight saving, let alone two time zones.

She says it would disadvantage many Queenslanders.

"I think it is the silliest idea that has come out of the Parliament in a long time," she said.

"The south-east corner has whinged for a number of years now about being out of step with Sydney, but by supporting a split time zone in Queensland, they're prepared to put their own state's residents at a disadvantage."

Mount Isa votes - on daylight saving

ABC.net.au

• Map: Mount Isa 4825

The residents of the north-west Queensland city of Mount Isa will go to the polls this weekend - to vote on daylight saving. 

The Mount Isa branch of the Labor Party is holding a referendum Saturday morning to gather views on whether daylight saving should be introduced in Queensland and whether the state should be split into different time zones.

Former ALP Minister Tony McGrady says it is only the second time in the city's history he can remember a local referendum being held.

"This is what democracy is about - where the ordinary person is allowed to come along and express a point of view," he said.

"Now once we get this referendum result, we'll pass it onto the Premier and then at least she'll have an idea of the feeling of the people of the city of Mount Isa as to whether or not daylight saving should or shouldn't be introduced."