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October 2025

A Bright Idea: The History of Daylight Saving in the A.C.T

Minister John Steer campaigned for Daylight Saving in Tasmania, being the first to trial and adopt the practice in 1967

Fig.1. Minister John Steer campaigned for Daylight Saving in Tasmania, being the first to trial and adopt the practice in 1967

Daylight saving time in the Australian Capital Territory is one of those quirky seasonal rituals that sparks both admiration and annoyance. Whether you're relishing the extra hour of evening sunshine or grumbling about your disrupted sleep, daylight saving time has a surprisingly rich and complex history in the ACT, and Australia more broadly.

Media statement for the beginning of daylight saving in the year 1988, 03 August 1988

Fig. 2. Media statement for the beginning of daylight saving in the year 1988, 03 August 1988

The concept of daylight saving was first sparked in the 1890’s by George Vernon Hudson, a New Zealand postal worker and keen entomologist who wanted extra daylight in the evenings - not for leisure, but to chase insects after work.ͥ But it wasn’t until World War I that Australia implemented it for the first time. In 1916, the federal government introduced daylight saving time as a wartime fuel-saving measure. It was short-lived, repealed in 1917 after widespread public backlash. Newspapers at the time mocked the idea, calling it an “ill-starred attempt to divert Nature from her natural course.”

Newspaper article from a member of the public opposing daylight saving during WWI, 06 February 1917

Fig. 3. Newspaper article from a member of the public opposing daylight saving during WWI, 06 February 1917

Daylight saving time returned briefly during World War II (1942-1944), again as a national effort to conserve energy. But once peace returned, so did standard time, until Tasmania reignited the idea in 1967 during a drought-induced power crisis. The success of Tasmania’s trial led other states to follow suit.ͥ ͥ

In 1971, the ACT officially adopted daylight saving alongside New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia, and Queensland. Western Australia and the Northern Territory opted out. Queensland quickly abandoned the idea in 1972 and has since been a battleground of daylight saving time debates and referenda.

Statement issued by the Department of the Interior announcing the permanent implementation of daylight saving in the ACT after a successful trial in 1971, 23 October 1972

Fig. 4. Statement issued by the Department of the Interior announcing the permanent implementation of daylight saving in the ACT after a successful trial in 1971, 23 October 1972

For the ACT, daylight saving has been a relatively smooth affair. Since its adoption, the territory has consistently observed daylight saving time, aligning its clock changes with neighbouring New South Wales. This synchronisation is crucial given Canberra’s close ties to Queanbeyan and surrounding regions.

Canberra Times newspaper article showing poll results in favour of daylight saving, 15 September 1972

Fig. 5. Canberra Times newspaper article showing poll results in favour of daylight saving, 15 September 1972

Originally, daylight saving in the ACT began on the last Sunday in October and ended on the last Sunday in March. But in 2008, the schedule shifted to start on the first Sunday in October and end on the first Sunday in April, extending the daylight saving period by four weeks. This change was part of a coordinated move with other southeastern states to better align with international standards and major events like the Commonwealth Games and the Sydney Olympics.ͥ ͥ ͥ

Supporters of daylight saving time in the ACT argue that it boosts the local economy by encouraging after-work activities, reduces electricity demand in the evenings, and even lowers roadkill rates by shifting commuting times away from dusk. Critics, however, point to sleep disruption, and the confusion caused by multiple time zones across Australia. Letters from members of the public to the government expressed strong views on both sides of the daylight saving debate. Notably, a heartfelt letter from nine-year-old Helen to the Prime Minister in support of daylight saving may have played a role in influencing the decision to retain it.

Letter from nine year old Helen Smith to the Prime Minister in favour of daylight saving, 03 June 1972

Fig. 6. Letter from nine year old Helen Smith to the Prime Minister in favour of daylight saving, 03 June 1972

Letter from Ralph J. Hunt responding to Helen Smith’s Letter to the Prime Minister, 11 July 1972

Fig. 7. Letter from Ralph J. Hunt responding to Helen Smith’s Letter to the Prime Minister, 11 July 1972

Letter to the government from a member of the public opposing the idea of daylight saving, 10 March 1973

Fig. 8. Letter to the government from a member of the public opposing the idea of daylight saving, 10 March 1973

Despite the occasional grumble, daylight saving remains a fixture in the ACT’s calendar. Each October, clocks spring forward, and each April, they fall back, like clockwork. And while debates rage on in other states, the ACT seems content to keep chasing the sun.

So next time you’re enjoying a warm evening stroll in Canberra at 7:30 PM in October, thank daylight saving and maybe George Hudson’s insect obsession for the extra light.

Fig. 9. Media statement regarding the end of daylight saving for the year 1989 by Felicity Edge, 15 March 1989

ACT Government files used

71/2677 – DAYLIGHT SAVING - STANDARD TIME & SUMMER TIME ORDINANCE

71/3373 – DAYLIGHT SAVING - GENERAL - PART 3

75/1806 – LOCAL GOVERNMENT COORDINATION - POSSIBLE EXTENSION OF HOURS OF DAYLIGHT SAVING

2024/10800 – GOVERNMENT & STAKEHOLDER RELATIONS - Media Relations (N) - Ministers Media Releases & Media Statements - 21 - Daylight Saving - 1983 to 1990

Images

Fig. 1. Minister John Steer campaigned for Daylight Saving in Tasmania, being the first to trial and adopt the practice in 1967, Canberra Times article, 25 April 1968. National Library of Australia, https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/107048448

Fig. 2.  Media statement for the beginning of daylight saving in the year 1988, 03 August 1988. File 2024/10800

Fig. 3. Newspaper article from a member of the public opposing daylight saving during WWI, The Scone Advocate article, 06 February 1917. National Library of Australia, https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/156909200

Fig. 4. Statement issued by the Department of the Interior announcing the permanent implementation of daylight saving in the ACT after a successful trial in 1971, 23 October 1972. File 71/2677

Fig. 5. Canberra Times newspaper article showing poll results in favour of daylight saving, 15 September 1972. File 71/3373

Fig. 6. Letter from nine year old Helen Smith to the Prime Minister in favour of daylight saving, 03 June 1972. File 71/3373

Fig. 7. Letter from Ralph J. Hunt responding to Helen Smith’s Letter to the Prime Minister, 11 July 1972. File 71/3373

Fig. 8. Letter to the government from a member of the public opposing the idea of daylight saving, 10 March 1973. File 71/3373

Fig. 9. Media statement regarding the end of daylight saving for the year 1989 by Felicity Edge, 15 March 1989. File 2024/10800

References

ͥ The Encyclopedia of New Zealand website. George Gibbs, ‘Biography: Hudson, George Vernon’. Dictionary of New Zealand Biography, first published in 1996.  https://teara.govt.nz/en/biographies/3h42/hudson-george-vernon

ͥ ͥ Royal Australian Historical Society website. Elizabeth Heffernan, ‘Changing Times: 50 years of daylight saving’, 19 July 2021. https://www.rahs.org.au/changing-times-50-years-of-daylight-saving/

ͥ ͥ ͥ Wikipedia website. ‘Daylight Saving Time in Australia’. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Daylight_saving_time_in_Australia

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