THE Opposition should permit a conscience vote on shifting the state’s timezone if change is proposed in Parliament, according to Investment and Trade Minister Martin Hamilton-Smith.

The former Liberal leader, who turned independent minister in the Labor Cabinet, today released an update on consultation over the time zone and a new video.

He said a majority of the 1000 respondents to the Government’s time zone change discussion paper supported a shift, but remained split about what direction to move in.

Forty-two per cent of respondents supporting moving forward to eastern standard time and 37 per cent wanted to move 30 minutes back toward Western Australia, Mr Hamilton-Smith said.

Any change requires a vote in Parliament. The Government has a Lower House majority, but the faces failure in the Upper House if the Liberals and three crossbenchers oppose change.

Mr Hamilton-Smith said his former party should permit a free vote.

“I am working my way around the Parliament talking to independents and minor parties, asking people to keep their mind open,” he said.

“I personally would be quite happy to see the minor parties and Opposition parties come in with a conscience vote on this.

“I think members should be free to represent accurately the views of their community without being forced to adopt party lines.”

The Liberals are reserving their view on changing the time zone.

However, a final decision is likely to test their loyalties to the West Coast communities they represent and the state’s business sector, which is calling for the clocks to be moved forward.

Labor has one regional MP, Whyalla-based Eddie Hughes.

Mr Hamilton-Smith would not be drawn on whether Labor should also permit a free vote.

“That’s not a decision for me, that’s a decision for the major parties and the minor parties,” he said. “I’m not a member of the Government’s Caucus.”

Mr Hamilton-Smith said the Government would likely come to a position on changing the time zone next month, with legislation introduced before the winter break if a shift were desired.