Sticker promoting the Campaign for Peace in Vietnam.

From 1954 communist North Vietnam and South Vietnam were at war. In the 1960s hundreds of thousands of United States troops were involved in support of South Vietnam and the Australian government also decided to commit troops.

A new National Service Act of 1964 required 20 year old men, selected by a ballot of birthdays, to serve for two years in regular army units. In May 1965 the Defence Act was amended to provide that these conscripts could also be required to serve overseas. Between 1965 and 1972 (when the last Australian troops were withdrawn from Vietnam) over 800,000 men were registered for National Service, 63,000 were conscripted by the ballot, and some 19,000 served in Vietnam. There were 496 killed and 2,398 wounded. The first conscript to die in Vietnam, Errol Noack, was a South Australian.

Many Australians were opposed to involvement in the Vietnam War and even more objected to the use of conscripts there. Tens of thousands of Australians participated in rallies and related activities as part of the Vietnam Moratorium protests. Groups such as the Campaign for Peace in Vietnam campaigned vigorously against conscription, and thousands joined protest marches in Adelaide in May and September 1970.

At the Vietnam Moratorium Campaign demonstration on 18 September 1970, 130 arrests were made during a confrontation between 400 police and 5,000 demonstrators. The violence and disagreement between the government and the police led to a Royal Commission on this Moratorium Demonstration.

This item is reproduced courtesy of Hon Lynn Arnold on behalf of the former Campaign for Peace in Vietnam organisation. It may be printed or saved for research or study. Use for any other purpose requires written permission from Hon Lynn Arnold on behalf of the former Campaign for Peace in Vietnam organisation. To request approval, complete the Quote for Copy/Permission form.