[4][5] The Labor government of Western Australia backed the trial and both main parties agreed to hold a free vote on the issue.

[9] During 2007 there was growing opposition to daylight saving time with some in the National Party calling for people to ignore the trial.

[15] The 'yes' campaign argued that it would make dealing with businesses from the east of Australia easier during the summer as it would reduce the time difference.

[16] Opposition was strongest in rural areas of Western Australia with farmers arguing that it caused problems for them.

On 11 May, the WA Farmers Federation claimed the Electoral Commission was biased as, while voters were instructed to write the words "Yes" or "No" in the box, a tick would be accepted as a yes, while a cross would be marked as an invalid vote.

[18] On 13 May, Kalgoorlie independent MP John Bowler, who was a daylight saving supporter, pledged that if the referendum was passed, he would move a private member's bill to exclude March from the period.

[23] Following the fourth rejection of daylight saving time in a referendum the issue was described as being dead for a generation, with Premier Colin Barnett saying that "it should not be considered for another 20 years.