One of the few places in the world with a half hour time difference is South Australia, but that mere 30 minutes presents some real headaches for business, travel, television and more.
The state government thinks it’s time to change the time – and it’s asking the populous what it thinks. Do they want to align with the eastern seaboard, or shift westward and turn the half hour difference into a full hour?
Investment and Trade Minister Martin Hamilton-Smith said it would be the most radical shakeup to Australia’s time zones in more than 100 years.
"Our time zone was constructed in the 19th century, in 1899. We’re moving into the 21st century," said Mr Hamilton-Smith.
"It is a time for change, and certainly the indications are that people are open to considering a change. Wwe need to get on with it."
And get on with it he has: launching a social media campaign and video featuring local personalities canvassing the change options.
Go east or west?
It’s a polarising debate – business, financial, travel, transport and other corporate players generally favour a move to the east, but many rural communities and farmers say west is best.
The media industry strongly backs a move eastwards and regards the half hour gap as an anachronism in the digital age.
Khali Sakkas, Insights Manager with leading media analyst firm Isentia says free-to-air TV would particularly benefit from South Australia shifting to the eastern time zone, giving two million potential viewers real-time involvement in reality television votes, sporting results and more.
“I think broadcasters and viewers would really welcome this development. We now demand an immediacy for our news, our sport and our current affairs and we also really enjoy that interaction live with television shows.”
The ANZ Bank’s Jane Yuile said it’s a complication businesses don't need.
“I think of it not only as a half hour is a bit confusing from the perspective of meetings and the like nationally, but it also creates confusion doing business in the region and internationally.”
With economic modelling showing South Australia could expect a $569 million annual improvement in its accounts from adopting Eastern Standard time, Damian Kelly from the New South Wales Business chamber said companies in the east are ready for South Australia to make the move.
“It would certainly make it easier for eastern states companies to set up operations in South Australia and vice versa, remembering New South Wales for instance is one third of the national economy.”
Of 1000 people who have made submissions to the government, only 20 per cent want the status quo to remain.
Some 42 per cent of South Australians have so far opted for the east, but 37 per cent prefer a 30 minute shift towards West Australian time, making a full hour’s difference with Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane.
Families say they’re worried a shift east for be hard on children going to school in the dark, and chairman of Regional Development for South Australia Rob Kerin says farmers are wary too.
“Within the debate we need to consider the people of the Eyre Peninsula, the impact that a move to eastern standard time would have on them because they live a long way from the eastern seaboard.”
Given the widespread impact any change could have, all Australians are being urged to put their views to the South Australian government’s Your Say website. Submissions close on April 10.
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