By 1970 public opinion against Australia’s involvement in the Vietnam War had begun to change, with an increasingly large protest movement.

Following the impact of a large scale protest in America in 1969 known as ‘The Moratorium to End the War in Vietnam’, Australia staged it’s own moratoriums in 1970 and 1971.

Led by Jim Cairns, the first moratorium took place in May 1970, with more than 200,000 people taking part including 100,000 taking to the streets in Melbourne for a peaceful city protest on 8 May. Further moratoriums were held in September 1970 and June 1971.

Gough Whitlam won the 1972 election, with the promise to end conscription as a major part of his campaign. On election, the Whitlam Government abolished conscription and withdrew remaining troops.