Daylight saving: Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate calls for 2024 referendum as clocks move forward

A new referendum should be held on reviving daylight saving in Queensland as early as 2024, with the economy benefits of the move revealed.

Mayor Tom Tate wants a new referendum to be held on reviving daylight saving in Queensland, saying the time is right for voters to have their say again.

Clocks go forward an hour for residents south of the Tweed at 2am on Sunday, but not on the Gold Coast, something the Mayor said was costing the city “billions in lost economic opportunity”.

Mr Tate said enough time had passed since the previous referendum more than 30 years ago.

“1992 was the last referendum on this and the world of commerce, communications, travel and employment has dramatically changed over 31 years,” he said.

“Let’s put it to a referendum on March 16, 2024, the same day as our statewide local council elections.

Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate backs a fresh referendum. Picture Glenn Hampson

“That is the most financially viable way to do it as the Queensland Electoral Commission staff, and processes, are in place for council elections

“In this new age of global commerce, we cannot be left in the dark ages – literally so set a uniform time zone to improve the work, and family lives of millions. It’s a simple yes, or no, on a referendum ballot paper.”

It comes as a University of Queensland study with 1000-plus resident respondents from each Australian jurisdiction – representative of equal age, gender and geographic location – found two-thirds of Queenslanders supported of daylight saving.

The survey, by Dr Thomas Sigler, found even stronger support in southeast Queensland.

“Preliminary results show 67 per cent of Queenslanders are in favour,” he said. “Anything north of Bundaberg and west of Toowoomba, cut that out and 80 per cent are in favour.

Gold Coast Mayor Lex Bell, Brisbane Mayor Jim Soorley and Albert Shire Chairman Bill Laver at Dreamworld were in favour of daylight saving back in 1992.

“One thing that jumped out is people who were employed full or part time were more supportive than those without.

“It’s pretty obvious, if you can see the sun all day you don’t care when it rise or sets. That hour at the end is paramount.”

Acting Mayor Donna Gates also favours daylight savings being reintroduced.

Mr Tate said the state had changed dramatically in the past three decades and there should be a greater focus on the needs of southeast Queensland.

“Since 1992, the Queensland population has grown by two million. One in seven Australian voters now live in the greater southeast Queensland corner.”

Daylight saving is not observed in Queensland, Western Australia or Northern Territory.

2022 data shows it costs Queensland $4bn annually.

Daylight saving has long been controversial in Queensland Picture Glenn Hampson

Brisbane Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner is among backers of daylight saving, last trialled in Queensland between 1989 and 1992.

Opposition leader David Crisafulli and the Palaszczuk Government are united against the idea.

“I have different views (than the mayors) because I have worked and lived in both sides of the state,” he said in 2022.

Mr Tate said he favoured a model suggested in 2010 by then-state MP Peter Wellington that would see areas north of the Sunshine Coast could remain on standard time.

Mr Wellington’s Bill was defeated when it was put to a vote in state parliament.

“That makes sense,” he said. “The world we live in is much closer, considering advances in infrastructure, transport and technology. To be on a different time zone to NSW and Victoria is ridiculous.

“On the Gold Coast, the problem is more acute as we share the biggest State border in Australia with Tweed Heads. Many Gold Coast families have living, working, family, health and education arrangements in both States.

“It’s not fair to those people and it’s not fair to all Queenslanders who want that extra hour of daylight in the evening when they can use it, rather than 4.30am which is when the sun rises in the middle of summer.

“Let’s get on with it.”