Yes to common daylight saving

Australia's southeastern states are expected to adopt a common daylight saving timetable operating for half the year, according to Victorian Premier Steve Bracks.

Mr Bracks has written to his counterparts in NSW, South Australia, Tasmania and the ACT after a request from Prime Minister John Howard for the southeastern states to synchronise their daylight saving hours, a timetable that would run for six months of the year.

The state and territory leaders gave in-principle agreement to the plan when Mr Howard raised it at the last Council of Australian Governments (COAG) meeting.

The new timetable, modelled on Tasmania's arrangement, would begin on the first Sunday in October and end on the first Sunday in April, Mr Bracks said on Southern Cross radio today.

"I've no doubt that the other states and territories would be a part of this," Mr Bracks said.

"It's a sensible arrangement to look at common times."

Queensland, which has no daylight savings, would not be a part of the plan.

Mr Bracks said the push to synchronise daylight savings across southeastern Australia was now more accepted.

"It works effectively and particularly in southern states of course. It does give you more opportunity with your family and your friends in daylight hours."

Victorian Nationals Leader Peter Ryan said the proposal should be put to a referendum at the upcoming November state election.

"People have strong views on daylight saving and I would be reluctant to change the current arrangements without getting a proper indication from the community as to the level of support," he said.

Source: www.news.com.au