1917 Australian election

The 1917 Australian federal election was held on May 5, during World War I, amid political and social tensions. The main issue was military conscription—whether to force men into compulsory military service—dividing the country. The sitting government, led by Prime Minister Billy Hughes, strongly supported conscription, but many voters opposed it. The election resulted in a narrow victory for Hughes's pro-conscription Labor government, though the opposition and anti-conscription forces gained significant support. This election highlighted deep divisions in Australian society over the war effort and conscription policy, influencing national politics for years afterward.