Australians voted no but the results were very close. In November 1917 Hughes had another referendum on conscription and again the people of Australia voted no. .
The bitter debate of conscription divided the Australian nation and caused to split the labor party in all states except Queensland. Further more the conscription debate had not increased the number of voluntary enlistment as it dropped to fewer than 3000 per month when at least 7000 per month were needed to maintain the fighting force overseas. Some trade unions also began to challenge openly Australia's involvement in the war. .
Those who supported conscription included the newspapers, Protestant Churches, the Liberal Party and employers as they wanted to send more troops to help fight overseas to stop the war before it reaches Australia. They believed we had an advantage over the enemy and a larger force indicates a greater chance of winning.
However, on the other hand the Labor Party, trade unions and most Roman Catholics particularly Dr Daniel Mannix, the Roman Catholic Archbishop of Melbourne believed that Australia should be a country of choice not force. By voting pro-conscription you are sacrificing the lives of innocents as well as destroying families and murdering loved ones.
A vital impact of the First World War was the internment camps. During World War 1 it was a very difficult time for Germans, Austrian-Hungarians, and the Turkish; however before the war they were greatly respected. .
During the war internment camps were set up all over Australia to separate the foreigners from the Australians. They were considered "aliens" during the war and many of them were placed in internment camps. They were considered as criminals or spies although their families have lived in Australia for many generations. .
Employment became difficult to find for the foreigners as employers no longer wanted to work together with "aliens" or people who had German names.
