Daylight saving Qld: Adrian Schrinner pushes for fresh trial

Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner says it’s time for another daylight saving trial in Queensland, but both sides of politics are cool on the proposal. VOTE IN OUR POLL

Brisbane Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner has reignited his fight to introduce daylight saving, revealing it costs the Sunshine State a whopping $4bn a year to not turn the clock forward an hour.

Cr Schrinner announced he will call for the reintroduction of the Summer Time Act, allowing a daylight saving trial to be held.

He was joined by a string of South East Queensland industry professionals pushing for the trial, including Brisbane Powerhouse CEO Kate Gould and Oktoberfest Festival directors Kim and Boris Zoulek.

Acting Gold Coast Mayor Donna Gates, who has long supported introducing daylight saving, said she would back the trial wholeheartedly.

“It’s been 30 years. That’s a long time since the last referendum on daylight saving,” Ms Gates said.

“The way business does business; whether it is leisure tourism, business travel or online commerce, the world has changed a lot in 30 years.

“My opinion is that the entire eastern seaboard should be on the one time zone.”

Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner (centre) with Brisbane business and daylight saving advocates Boris and Kim Zoulek (Oktoberfest), Kate Gould (Brisbane Powerhouse) and Steven Bradbury (Last Man Standing Brewery) in King George Square. Picture: Lachie Millard

When asked how the $4bn figure was calculated, Cr Schrinner said “various reports and studies” showed Queensland businesses were missing out on billions of dollars due to early closures and market incompatibility.

“Who is spending money at the moment at 4.45am, not many people,” he said.

“If you shifted that opportunity to the evening, you will get massive lifestyle and economic benefits.”

Cr Schrinner said of the five million Queenslanders, between three and four million hadn’t had the opportunity to voice their opinion on daylight saving.

He said the five-page 1990 Summer Time Act, which led to a daylight saving referendum in 1992, was again ready to enter Parliament.

“Here’s one that’s been prepared earlier, just change the dates,” he said. “All I’m asking is to give it a go.”

But some Queensland MPs have already shot down the idea, saying it’s not up for debate in cabinet.

Queensland Opposition Leader David Crisafulli said he did not support the introduction of the Act and if elected, any daylight saving changes would “not be on his policy agenda”.

“I respect him (Cr Schrinner) and I respect his views, and I’m sure he understands I have different views because I have worked and lived in both sides of the state.”

Government frontbencher Mark Furner also rejected the Lord Mayor’s renewed calls for daylight saving, indicating Cabinet was united against its reintroduction.

“There’s no debate, I can tell you, around the Cabinet table about daylight saving,” he said.

“It’s something I haven’t turned my mind to.”

Mr Furner also said it would be difficult to introduce separate daylight time zones within the state.

“Once it reaches a point where it’s a matter for consideration, all those things will be explored,” he said.
Regarding the possibility of implementing a daylight saving “border bubble” between NSW and the Gold Coast, Cr Schrinner said it could be considered in future. But only after the trial finished and Queenslanders gave their feedback.

“I’ve come to the conclusion that the state is afraid to ask Queenslanders the question because deep down they know what the answer will be – a decisive yes.”