FW: Daylight Saving in Western Australia

[Olson, Arthur David (NIH/NCI) [E]]

I'm forwarding this message from Jacob, who is not on the time zone
mailing list.

Those of you who are on the time zone mailing list should direct replies
appropriately.

				--ado

-----Original Message-----
From: Jacob [mailto:jacob at iinet.net.au] 
Sent: Wednesday, March 28, 2007 8:31 AM
To: Olson, Arthur David (NIH/NCI) [E]
Subject: Daylight Saving in Western Australia


Hi, 

I've been reading posts on the time zone page via the web for a while
and
just thought I would let you know on two daylight saving bills that are
currently being debated in the Western Australian state parliament.

The first is the Daylight Saving Amendment Bill 2007
http://www.parliament.wa.gov.au/parliament/bills.nsf/BillProgressPopup?o
penF
orm&ParentUNID=713549006591B118C8257290002753CB

Which calls for an early referendum to be held on 20th October, 2007
instead of 2009. The bill originates from the National Party, which are
a
rural party where Daylight Saving is strongly opposed. A referendum on
the
20th October would mean only a week's notice if Daylight Saving gets the
nod or not!

The second is the Daylight Saving Amendment Bill (No.2) 2007
http://www.parliament.wa.gov.au/parliament/bills.nsf/BillProgressPopup?o
penF
orm&ParentUNID=EFDF9EAD189C0FBDC82572A5000E949E

This bill is being done by Matt Birney, who was one of the co-sponsors
of
the original bill that got up in November. He wants daylight saving to
end
2 months earlier for the rest of the trial, ending on the last Sunday in
January instead of the last Sunday in March. He is an MP of a country
seat
and is trying to get a compromise to appease voters.

Both bills are unlikely to get up, as the Labor Government has stated
that
it will not allow its members to have a free vote on the issue. The
second
bill looks like it wont get support from anyone even from Birney's own
Liberal Party. The Nationals may support it if their own bill does not
get up.

The Labor Party states that both sides had a free vote last year on the
issue and that Parliament in the lower and upper houses agreed on a
three
year trial. The Liberal Party has obviously changed their mind and will
force their members to vote for the National Party amendment. It will be
interesting to see if Liberal Matt Birney crosses the floor to vote with
the government on his own bill that he co-sponsored!

Also, as a side note, Daylight Saving looks like it may increase in New
Zealand next summer, for more information check out:
http://www.stuff.co.nz/stuff/4002144a7693.html

Jacob