Western Australians will go to the polls on May 16, 2009 to decide if daylight saving remains a permanent fixture on the State calendar.
Premier Colin Barnett said a simple yes or no vote would end the long running debate once and for all. WA has observed three daylight saving trial periods since 2006 with the current trial due to end on Sunday, March 29 this year.
"I have announced the date for the referendum so that people currently undecided can use the remainder of the trial to finalise their own assessment of daylight saving," Mr Barnett said.
The Daylight Saving Act 2006 stated that three trial periods be held before a vote on a single question be taken in 2009. Lengthy debate on the wording of the question took place at the time of the Act passing through State Parliament and structured in such a way that would remove any ambiguity over the result.
Electoral Affairs Minister Norman Moore said Western Australians had voted on daylight saving three times in the last 17 years, each time resulting in a 'no' vote.
"The debate over daylight saving has seen three referendums held, all with the same outcome - No," Mr Moore said.
"The last referendum held in 1992 saw the matter defeated by 53.1 per cent of the electorate."
The Minister said voting in the May 16 referendum was compulsory and each person would be required to vote on the following question:
"Are you in favour of daylight saving being introduced in Western Australia by standard time in the State being advanced one hour from the last Sunday in October 2009 until the last Sunday in March 2010 and in similar fashion for each following year?"
The Premier said that some members of Parliament had proposed a second question on the referendum paper during earlier discussions about the timing of daylight saving.
"The State's Solicitor General has advised that any additional question would require legislative change," Mr Barnett said.
"I am not prepared to spend valuable time in parliament discussing this yet again. The single question will stand and it is my hope that the matter is finalised once and for all."
Premier's office - 9222 9475
Electoral Affairs Minister's office - 9422 3000
