Queensland residents draws to the attention of the House a recent Queensland Government consultation on daylight saving in south-east Queensland.  This consultation resulted in over 80,000 responses, 60% of whom supported both a trial and a referendum on daylight saving dual time zones within Queensland.  Given the results of this consultation were used as the basis for the Government's position on whether to proceed with a trial and referendum, it is disappointing that the decision was made in the negative, due mainly to the responses received from regional Queenslanders who are against daylight saving.  To only consider the opinions of regional Queenslanders, and ignore the majority of all respondents to this survey, is unjust and undemocratic.  With an estimated net economic benefit to Queensland of around $10 billion per annum, daylight saving in south east Queensland should be trialled.  Holding a referendum would enable the daylight saving issue to be resolved in a fair and democratic manner.  The cost of staging a referendum is estimated at around $12 million, but that cost could be significantly reduced if held in conjunction with a state election.

Your petitioners, therefore, request the House to pass the required legislation to enact a trial of daylight saving in south east Queensland, followed by a referendum of all eligible Queensland constituents, to be held in conjunction with a state election and let the people have their say on this contentious issue.