History of daylight saving in Queensland and DS4SEQ

Daylight saving was first introduced to Australia in 1916, and its early implementation was primarily tied to energy-saving efforts during the first and second World Wars. Its widespread adoption in southern states has been since 1971. In Queensland, however, it has always been a contentious issue.

In 1971, daylight saving was introduced to Queensland but was rescinded after just one year. The one and only Queensland Referendum on Daylight Saving was held in 1992 - nearly two decades ago. Following a three-year trial, a referendum was held in 1992, that was narrowly defeated, with 52% voting No and 48% voting Yes.  In the 30 years since this one and only referendum, there has been no real action from the Queensland government, despite clear momentum and support from constituents for daylight saving to be introduced into the state.

Since 1992, however, a lot has changed in Queensland, including a substantial increase in population, particularly in the South East region. Support for Daylight Saving is geographically divided, with the majority of residents in South East Queensland being supportive, while the majority of Queenslanders residing outside this region, opposing its introduction. Therefore, it is logical that a geographic solution should be applied - thus introducing dual time zones.

In 2007, the Queensland government commissioned the Nielsen Company to conduct research. The trigger was two well supported parliamentary e-petitions (approx. 62,000 and 77,000 signatures respectively), which both had Queensland Opposition Gold Coast Liberal MP support, combined with support from the business community via the CCIQ. The Nielsen research confirmed that support for daylight saving in Queensland was gauged at 59% statewide, with 69% support in SEQ – highlighting a genuine positive shift in support for daylight saving since the 1992 referendum. This research indicated that there was less support for a dual time zone, with no details providing on how this proposal would operate, e.g. no proposed boundary was provided. The Queensland Bligh government decided against any move on daylight saving based upon lack of support from regional Qld.  In fact Neilsen’s Executive Summary stated that the status quo “will cause the least public backlash”.

This negative position on daylight saving taken by Premier Bligh after the 2007 Nielsen research, was the impetus for the establishment of the Daylight Saving for South East Queensland (DS4SEQ) political party. DS4SEQ became a registered political party in December 2008, with the sole policy to implement daylight saving into south-east Queensland.  The party contested the March 2009 Queensland State election with 32 candidates and DS4SEQ received one percent of the statewide primary vote, equating to around 2.5% across the 32 electorates contested. The party also contested the 2012 South Brisbane by-election, gaining 3.7% of the primary vote.  As a registered party, formal submissions were made to the Premier Bligh and Premier Newman and continued lobbying for daylight saving until deregistering in October 2012. 

In 2010, the Queensland Government conducted a public consultation on daylight saving in south-east Queensland. The trigger was Independent MP, Peter Wellington, tabling a Private Member’s Bill for Daylight Saving in South East Queensland.  This Bill was a result of the Daylight Saving for South East Queensland (DS4SEQ) party’s direct approach to Mr Wellington and working with him in the formulation of the bill. The public consultation results indicated that 64% were in favour of a trial and subsequent referendum. The government decided against, with Premier Bligh citing that those in regional Qld were against it. The Queensland parliamentary research undertaken by request from Peter Wellington at the time he tabled his Daylight Saving for SEQ private member’s bill.

Over the past decade, DS4SEQ has continued to be active on social media in advocating for daylight saving and promoting its benefits and serves as the leading advocates for daylight saving in south-east Queensland, by either dual time zones or statewide.

Since 2014, there have been three petitions to the Queensland Parliament, all of which achieved more than 20,000 signatures. These were open for 5 months, 4 months and 1 month, respectively.

Our current petition will be open until November. Sign now to help us make history!