Daylight Saving Repeal Act 1917

Overview

The Daylight Saving Repeal Act 1917 was enacted to address the need to reverse the legislative changes introduced by the Daylight Saving Act 1916. The 1916 Act had established a system of daylight saving time adjustments across the Commonwealth of Australia, but the decision to repeal it was made in light of various concerns and practical difficulties that arose from its implementation. Enacted by the King’s Most Excellent Majesty, the Senate, and the House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of Australia, the policy objective of the 1917 Act was to undo the previous legislation and return to the standard time system that had been in place prior to the introduction of daylight saving time. This repeal reflects the legislative body's response to the challenges and issues identified during the brief period of daylight saving implementation.

Scope and Application

The Daylight Saving Repeal Act 1917 applies to the Commonwealth of Australia, effectively repealing the Daylight Saving Act 1916, which previously regulated the implementation of daylight saving time across the nation. This repeal means that the previously established provisions for altering the time by one hour during specific periods of the year are no longer in effect. The Act applies broadly to any person, entity, or industry within the Commonwealth, as it nullifies the regulatory framework that was previously in place to manage daylight saving time. There are no specific exclusions or exemptions mentioned within the Act, and no thresholds are defined; the repeal is comprehensive across the entire Commonwealth. While the primary Act itself does not extend or restrict its application through subordinate instruments, it is possible for subsequent legislation or regulations to further clarify or expand upon the implications of this repeal.

Key Provisions

The Daylight Saving Repeal Act 1917 (Act No. 35 of 1917) is a straightforward piece of legislation aimed at repealing the Daylight Saving Act 1916. The Act is concise, consisting of only two sections, with the first section (1) providing the short title of the Act, and the second section (2) detailing the repeal of the previous legislation. Under section 1, the Act may be cited as the Daylight Saving Repeal Act 1917, which serves as a clear identifier for legal purposes. Section 2, the main operative provision, states that the Daylight Saving Act 1916 is hereby repealed, effectively nullifying its provisions and removing the legal framework that previously governed daylight saving time in Australia. The repeal of the Daylight Saving Act 1916 imposes obligations on various parties and entities that were previously governed by the Act. These include businesses, public institutions, and individuals who would have been required to adhere to the daylight saving time schedule. With the repeal, these entities are no longer obligated to adjust their clocks or schedules in accordance with daylight saving time. This change may have implications for timekeeping practices, scheduling, and other activities that were previously aligned with daylight saving time. There are no explicit offences, penalties, or civil/criminal consequences mentioned in the Daylight Saving Repeal Act 1917. The Act's primary purpose is to repeal the existing legislation, and it does not create new obligations or impose sanctions for non-compliance. However, the repeal may have indirect effects on various activities and practices that were previously governed by the Daylight Saving Act 1916. For instance, businesses and public institutions may need to adjust their operations and schedules to accommodate the change, potentially incurring costs or requiring additional resources to ensure compliance with the new legal framework. While the Act itself does not impose penalties for breach, the consequences of non-compliance may be governed by other relevant laws or regulations.