The state’s industry leaders have had their say on the future of the state’s time-zone at an industry roundtable at Old Parliament House today.

Minister for Investment and Trade Martin Hamilton-Smith said it was the chance for 30 of the state’s leaders in areas such as aviation, manufacturing and media to have their voice heard on whether the state’s time-zone should move.

“We have had a tremendous response to the first month of consultation on the merits of changing South Australia’s time-zone,” Mr Hamilton-Smith said.

“As the deadline for consultation nears, the Government is taking the discussion direct to business and the wider community and this is why we have met directly with the state’s industry leaders today.

“We have had business and media groups who have favoured changing the time to Australian Eastern Standard Time while others have argued we should move closer to Western Standard Time.”

“It is an important public discussion and one that we want to continue right until the consultation period ends on Friday, April 10.”

Mr Hamilton-Smith said the Government would take the consultation on the road next week with public forums on the west coast in Ceduna and on the Eyre Peninsula in Port Lincoln.

“A public forum has also been organised in Mt Gambier,” he said.

“We are encouraging anyone with a view to submit it so we can explore the issues with the community and together we can make a judgement about what time-zone will best help South Australian people and businesses to thrive.

“Changing our time-zone may also present an opportunity to better connect our state with Australia and the world.”

The time-zone consultation period ends Friday April 10.

To provide a submission visit www.yoursay.sa.gov.au