A Private Members Bill – the Standard Time Amendment (Daylight Saving Period Reduction) Bill – was introduced by Northern Tablelands MP Adam Marshall in the state’s Upper House last week, with the support of Tenterfield’s state MP Thomas George and fellow National Party members.

By introducing the bill Mr Marshall is seeking to bring the end of daylight saving forward one month, from the first Sunday in April to the first Sunday in March each year. 

Mr Marshall said the change should take effect for the upcoming daylight saving period

“The Bill essentially reverses the extension to daylight saving which was pushed through the parliament without a mandate in 2007,” he said.

“I’ve been working on this legislation with my colleagues from country NSW, who are also being lobbied by their communities for this change.

“While the issue of daylight saving always provokes a passionate debate – some people love it and some want it gone completely – most people agree it simply drags on for too long.”

Mr Marshall said there was considerable angst about the length of daylight saving from people who live along or very near the Queensland border or do business with Queenslanders.

“I expect the Bill to be debated in parliament before the end of the year,’ he said.

“I think it’s a good comprise because we’ll still have five months of daylight saving.

“I’m looking forward to the debate and hopefully convincing enough MPs to support this practical and long sought-after change for country people.”

He certainly has Mr George’s support, who is well aware of the difficulties faced by businesses who straddle the two time zones. Mr George also feels the daylight savings period extends one month too long, with schoolchildren travelling on buses in near-dark by the beginning of April.

This is especially true of Tenterfield children arriving home after attending school in Queensland, when the bus doesn’t reach town until around 5.15pm, daylight savings time.