AS REGULAR as clockwork, the Nationals are making another push to shorten the duration of daylight saving in NSW.
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A private members bill was introduced to the state’s Upper House this week seeking to bring forward the end of daylight saving by one month from the first Sunday in April to the first Sunday in March.
At present, clocks are moved forward one hour on the first weekend of October and moved back one hour on the first weekend in April – effectively operating for six months.
The member for Northern Tablelands, Adam Marshall, is championing the campaign.
“While the issue of daylight saving always provokes a passionate debate – some people love it and some want it gone completely – most people agree that the last month is a pain, it simply drags on too long,” Mr Marshall said in a statement.
The Nationals have made several unsuccessful attempts to shrink daylight saving in recent years.
The Country Women’s Association’s Riverina group president, Ann Adams, personally supports a reduction in daylight saving but said the issue had not been brought up within the organisation over the past few years.
“The majority of country people are against daylight saving,” Mrs Adams said.
Member for Wagga Daryl Maguire said he had not yet seen the bill, but in principle considered the move “fair and reasonable”.
“I think winding it back at the latter end is reasonable,” Mr Maguire said.
“I think everyone agrees it just goes too long.”
Mr Maguire was reluctant to say if his view was shared by other Liberal Party members of parliament, particularly metropolitan MPs who are likely to have the numbers one way or another to decide the fate of the bill in the Lower House should it pass through the Upper House.
Avid Wagga golfer, Peter Seaman, is happy with the status quo because he is able to take advantage of more light after work to unwind by hitting a few balls.
“I understand the argument on both sides, but personally I would like it to last as long as it does now,” Mr Seaman said.