Twice a year, millions of Australians in parts of the country can be found scratching their heads and wondering whether to put their clocks forward or backwards.
From the first Sunday in October to the first Sunday in April, multiple states are under “daylight savings” time, involving a one-hour clock change.
But why do we do it – or not, depending on where we are? Here’s what you should know.
What is daylight savings?
In New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia, Tasmania, and the ACT, residents wind their clocks forward an hour on the early morning of the first Sunday in October.
This is typically measured from 2am, which becomes 3am.
At 3am on the first Sunday of the following April, the same states wind the clock back to 2am.
Why was daylight savings invented?
Some ancient societies, such as the Romans, counted the hours of the day differently between seasons.
But modern daylight saving was introduced in the early 20th century to an increasingly urbanised and industrialised First World population.
With many peoples’ daily work and travel schedules increasingly dictated by the ticking clock instead of the availability of sunlight, daylight savings was proposed as a way to grant people an “extra” hour of daylight in summer, after the typical work day.
Where is it used?
Globally, Europe, much of North America, Greenland, and some Middle Eastern countries including Israel, Lebanon, and Egypt.
In the southern hemisphere, along with half of Australia and all of New Zealand, the South American countries of Chile and Paraguay also observe it.
Countries closer to the equator tend not to figure as the difference between winter and summer daylight hours is less observable.
Why don’t all Australian states use it?
Every jurisdiction makes its own decision.
Queensland is probably the most divided on the issue, with repeat polls frequently having shown that the metropolitan south-east is more in favour of daylight savings.
However, the state’s regional areas are steadfastly opposed.
Western Australia last observed daylight savings time in 2009.
What are the arguments against it?
Historically, farmers have lobbied against daylight savings, due to a work schedule that is still more subject to the natural rhythm of the day, summer or winter.
This can leave them out of sync with the broader working population, including when it comes to accessing services.
Opponents also declare the idea obsolete due to advances in technology and an increasingly online world.
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