Queensland residents draws to the attention of the House that the comprehensive and detailed 2007 Queensland Government research showed that the overwhelming majority (69%) of residents in SEQ wanted daylight saving. Only 20% opposed daylight saving while 10% were neutral on the issue. This is primarily a lifestyle choice which will enable the residents to enjoy more light in the afternoon to pursue outdoors activities. In addition to the health benefits, there will be significant road safety and moderate energy benefits for the region. The residents of SEQ recognise that regional Queensland by virtue of its lower latitude and location further west is not suited to summer daylight saving and acknowledge the right of the Government to respect the wishes of the majority in regional Queensland not to have daylight saving for their region. However, in the same way, the residents of SEQ request that the Government respect the wishes of the majority in SEQ with regard to their lifestyle choice.

Your petitioners, therefore, request the House to follow the recommendation of the 2007 report to educate all Queensland residents regarding the debate, logic and options available to address the issue of daylight saving in Queensland and to propose a plan that can be trialled and then implemented to adequately address the reasonable request of the majority of residents in SEQ to have daylight saving for their region.