Following two years of lobbying efforts by the Institute of Chartered Accountants, the State Government has responded to the burgeoning negative impacts that the three-hour time difference between Western Australia and the eastern states of Australia is having on local WA businesses, by accepting a compromised Bill which contemplates the introduction of daylight savings on a three year trial basis, beginning on 3 December with the issue eventually being put to a referendum.  
 
Despite the mix of public opinion the Institute of Chartered Accountants, WA General Manager, Con Abbott is pleased with the final outcome citing the results of two surveys conducted earlier this year calling for the introduction of Daylight Saving. 
 
“The negative impacts of Daylight Saving were highlighted in two surveys conducted with 650 of the state’s leading business professionals and more than 400 people in the general community,” Mr Abbott said. 
 
The business community survey revealed: 

• 86% of those surveyed were in favour of the State adopting daylight saving to prevent a three-hour time difference with the eastern states
 

• 85% of respondents believed that the three-hour time difference negatively impacted on business activities, citing that communication difficulties was viewed as the most pressing reason to make the switch for business and
 

• A further 50% of respondents believed that the extent of the impact was ‘moderate to adverse in nature’ with areas of impact including lost business opportunities, the cost and time of travel, lost productivity and increased banking difficulties.