Media Release: EXTRA DAYLIGHT SAVINGS BOOSTS FAMILY TIME FROM 2008

FROM THE OFFICE OF THE PREMIER

DATE: Wednesday, June 27, 2007

EXTRA DAYLIGHT SAVINGS BOOSTS FAMILY TIME FROM 2008

Victoria, NSW, South Australia, Tasmania and the ACT will have harmonised Daylight Saving Time arrangements from 2008, reducing confusion and creating additional daylight saving time days.

Premier Steve Bracks today announced that commencing April 2008 Victorians will benefit from 28 extra days of Daylight Saving Time each year meaning more daylight hours after work and school.

“The new arrangements will give Victorians a full six months of Daylight Saving Time, and give people extra time to spend outdoors at the end of their working day,” Mr Bracks said.

“Victorians will be able to enjoy an extra four weeks of Daylight Saving Time to spend with their families and friends and enjoy sporting activities.

“The new consistent daylight saving zone will reduce confusion and complexity, particularly for tourists and businesses.”

Under the new arrangements, Daylight Saving Time across the four states and the ACT, would start on the first Sunday in October and end on the first Sunday in April.

Previously, Daylight Saving Time in Victoria started on the last Sunday in October and ended on the last Sunday in March.

As the new arrangements are phased in, Victorians will be able to enjoy an extra week of daylight saving during the summer and autumn of 2007-08, with Daylight Savings Time ending on the first Sunday of April 2008 for the first time.

Minister for Small Business, Theo Theophanous, who has responsibility for the administration of Daylight Saving Time in Victoria, will introduce the change later this year and said the new arrangements were also likely to be popular among Victoria’s businesses.

“Extra daylight hours may also provide new opportunities for Victoria’s retail, hospitality, sport and tourism businesses,” Mr Theophanous said.

“The extra hours mean more time for shopping, sightseeing and sport, generating new opportunities and business for these sectors.”