1976 New South Wales daylight saving referendum

A referendum concerning whether daylight saving should be continued in New South Wales was put to voters in conjunction with the state election on 1 May 1976 and was carried with a comfortable majority.

1976 New South Wales daylight saving referendum
1 May 1976 (1976-05-01)
At present there is a period commonly called "daylight saving" by which time is advanced by one hour for the period commencing on the last Sunday in October in each year and ending on the first Sunday in March in the following year.

Are you in favour of daylight saving?
Results
Choice
 Votes  %
Yes 1,879,967 68.41%
No 867,983 31.59%
Valid votes 2,747,950 98.75%
Invalid or blank votes 34,696 1.25%
Total votes 2,782,646 100.00%
Registered voters/turnout 2,989,786 93.07%

Background

Daylight saving had been introduced in Australia at the end of World War I, from 1 January to 31 March 1917. It was re-introduced during World War II for 3 summers from 1 January 1942. It was first introduced in peace time on 31 October 1971.[1][2] Neither the governing Liberal/Country coalition nor the Labor opposition campaigned on the issue, with the debate taken up by single interest organisations.[3]

Yes case

The Daylight Savings Association argued that daylight savings (1) reduced power consumption (2) led to more leisure time for outdoor activities and (3) reduced the road toll.[3]

No case

The Anti-daylight Savings Association's case was that (1) people had difficulty sleeping because their houses did not cool until later in the night (2) country children had to travel to school in the dark and return in the heat of the afternoon (3) Chickens and dairy cows were less productive because of the change of hours of farm hands. Additional arguments put were that children were irritated in the afternoon heat causing more difficulty for young mothers and that adapting to change was difficult for old people.[3]

The question

The voting paper contained the following directions to the elector:[4]

At present there is a period commonly called "daylight saving" by which time is advanced by one hour for the period commencing on the last Sunday in October in each year and ending on the first Sunday in March in the following year.

Are you in favour of daylight saving?

Results
Result [5]
QuestionVotes %
Sunday trading   Yes     1,879,967 68.41
No 867,983 31.59
Total formal 2,747,950 98.75
Informal 34,696  1.25
Turnout [6]     2,989,786   93.07  

See also

References
  1. "The history of daylight saving in NSW". NSW Department of Communities & Justice. Retrieved 28 October 2021.
  2. "Daylight Saving (Referendum) Act 1975 (1976 No 2)" (PDF), (NSW) – via NSW Legislation
  3. "Daylight saving not an issue". The Canberra Times. 28 April 1976. p. 7. Retrieved 28 October 2021 – via Trove.
  4. "Standard Time Act 1971 No 38" (PDF), (NSW) – via NSW Legislation
  5. "Daylight Saving (Referendum) Act 1975 (72)". Government Gazette of the State of New South Wales. 28 May 1976. p. 2263. Retrieved 28 October 2021 – via Trove.
  6. Based on a roll of 2,356,977 at the 1976 state election: Green, Antony. "1976 election totals". New South Wales Election Results 1856-2007. Parliament of New South Wales. Retrieved 28 October 2021.
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