What is conscription?
Conscription is the compulsory enlistment in the national service, most often a military.
During the outbreak of WW1, the amount of Australians who volunteered to enlist was so high that military officials were forced to reject many applications. However, as the war progressed, the number of casualties increased while the number of volunteers decreased. Therefore, by 1916, the AIF faced a shortage of men.
Referendum:
The Prime Minister at the time, Billy Hughes, passed a conscription act through the senate with a majority to change the Australian Defence Act, 1911.. However, he decided to ask the public what they thought of conscription through a referendum. The referendum caused heated discussion amongst the public and there were divided opinions.
What is a referendum?
A referendum is a general vote by the electorate on a single political question which has been referred to them for a direct decision.
The Australian Constitution can only be amended with the approval of Australian voters. Therefore, any proposed alteration must be put to the vote at a referendum.
Section 128 of the Constitution provides that any proposed amendment to the Constitution must be passed by an absolute majority in both Houses of the Commonwealth Parliament.
In certain circumstances, a proposed amendment can be submitted to a referendum if it is passed on two separate occasions by only one House of the Parliament.
At the referendum the proposed alteration must be approved by a 'double majority'. That is:
- a national majority of voters in the states and territories
- a majority of voters in a majority of the states (i.e. at least four out of six states).
Voting in referendums is compulsory for enrolled voters. In referendums, voters are required to write either 'yes' or 'no' on the ballot paper in response to each question listed.
Question:
Are you in favour of the Government having, in this grave emergency, the same compulsory powers over citizens in regard to requiring their military service, for the term of this War, outside the Commonwealth, as it now has in regard to military service within the Commonwealth?
The conscription debate:
In 1916, a conscription debate began when Prime Minister Billy Hughes visited the war front himself. On his return to Australia, he voiced his concern that Australia needed more soldiers. He wanted to change the Commonwealth Defence Act 1911. Due to this during 1916-1917, a referendum was held to discuss the matters and hand it over to the public. Although three states voted yes and three states voted no, the majority of the population was against the amendment of the original law. As a result, recruiting was stronger than ever and intensified campaigns were popping up in every city. Some of the arguments against conscription were that enough lives had been lost and that farmers need more men to work the land for food.
Conscription is compulsory enlistment in the armed forces. This means that if you are conscripted you have no choice but to join the armed forces. In 1916, Australia had compulsory military service but conscripted men could only serve within Australian territory. Billy Hughes wanted to extend conscription so that men could be sent to reinforce the front line in Europe.
Conscription contributed both negatively and positively to the broader war effort; it gave many a chance to earn money and gave them a sense of nationalism. But conscription and the whole war effort in general was seen as a huge loss with almost no gain. Conscription was never enacted in Australia and the issue split the country, causing arguments and protests to erupt between the two sides. Conscription was evidence of Australia’s loyalty and dedication to England, which was what brought the most support from the people.