[1] Support for changing hotel closing times originally came from the temperance movement, which hoped that implementing restrictions on the sale of alcohol would lead eventually to its total prohibition.
Although the movement had been active since the 1870s, it had been gaining ground since the 1900s following the introduction of 6 o'clock retail trade closing, first legislated in Western Australia in 1897.
The argument made by the temperance movement challenged the grounds for public houses being "kept open while bakers' shops were shut".
"[2] The first state to introduce early closing was South Australia in March 1916 where the rationale was for supporting the war effort.
[1] Although 6 o'clock closing was introduced as a temporary measure, the government brought in extensions and discussed putting the matter to a referendum.