What a year!

Well 2010 certainly shaped up to be a very big year for the Daylight Saving for South East Queensland (DS4SEQ) Party.  The Party’s highlight this year was the introduction of the Daylight Saving for South East Queensland Referendum Bill into state parliament in April, by Independent Member, Peter Wellington.  This was after DS4SEQ approached Mr Wellington in February, hopeful of positive progression in relation to Daylight Saving and dual time zones within Queensland.

To have Daylight Saving formally placed on the political agenda in Queensland Parliament after the issue had been two decades in the wilderness, is no mean feat.  Not a bad achievement for a political party without its own representation in state Parliament, and which only celebrated its second birthday earlier this month.

And didn’t Peter Wellington’s Bill cause a stir!

Premier Anna Bligh tweeted about it, in order to gauge initial interest, and given the frenzied response, announced a public consultation on Daylight Saving.  This community consultation found a resounding majority of Queenslanders support a trial and a referendum on introducing dual time zones to Queensland, with Daylight Saving in the south-east.  Unfortunately, in the end, the Premier seemed more concerned with votes in the north of the state, than actually taking affirmative action in fixing the Daylight Saving problem for Queensland, when she announced that her Government would not support this Bill.

The LNP Opposition Leader, John-Paul Langbroek, was quick off the mark to confirm his party’s negative position toward Daylight Saving.  In doing so, Mr Langbroek even admitted that Queensland’s rejection of Daylight Saving is a problem, but didn’t offer any solution.  It was also disappointing that the LNP didn’t proactively participate in seeking feedback from the community, particularly since Mr Langbroek himself, represents the pro-Daylight Saving Gold Coast electorate of Surfers Paradise.  Gee, he’s got to stop turning his back on his own constituents!

The continued negative stance toward Daylight Saving by both major parties, indicates that neither Labor, nor the LNP, are currently prepared to listen to all Queenslanders when it comes to Daylight Saving, but are instead only interested in protecting their political interests in regional and rural areas within the state.  In saying this, DS4SEQ continues to lobby both sides of politics, in the hope that they will see the light, and change their negative position toward Daylight Saving.

The Parliamentary debate for Peter Wellington’s Bill is scheduled for early next year (most likely March), and once the date is confirmed, we will advise party members and supporters, and encourage attendance to the relevant session of Queensland Parliament.

In the meantime, please ensure that you sign the current Parliamentary e-Petition, which calls on the Government to support Peter Wellington’s Bill – it will take you no more than a couple of minutes.  We believe that with significant support for the petition, the Government may be pressured into reconsidering their position before the Bill is debated.  DS4SEQ would therefore appreciate your support, and circulation of the petition, located on the Queensland Parliament website http://www.parliament.qld.gov.au at the following address:

http://www.parliament.qld.gov.au/view/EPetitions_QLD/CurrentEPetition.aspx?PetNum=1543&lIndex=-1

However, should the Bill be defeated, DS4SEQ is prepared to run another election campaign, because we are committed to resolving the Daylight Saving problem for Queensland.  With this in mind, we are currently in the initial stages of the party’s candidate endorsement process, and will make further announcements early in the new year.  Whilst the next election isn’t due until March 2012, by being pro-active, DS4SEQ will be able to garnish greater grass roots support within the community and to better sell our message.

I would like to thank you all for your support throughout the year and we invite you to continue following us on our journey throughout 2011.

On behalf of the Executive team, we would like to wish you all a safe and enjoyable Christmas and New Year’s.

A Bigger Year for Daylight Saving in South East Queensland in 2011 – ‘It’s About Time!’

Jason Furze

Party Leader