In addition, the conscription of young men to bolster troop numbers in Vietnam had significant and long-lasting controversial effects on Australian society. The weakened social cohesion over the issue of whether to support or oppose to the Vietnam War was at large a result of the growing tension of the conscription matter. With the introduction of the National Service Act (1964), many groups such as the Returned Service League (RSL), the Catholic Church and supporters of conservative political parties began to question their initial support of the policy of involvement in Vietnam. Selection of 20-year old men based on a lottery system for compulsory overseas military service in Vietnam marked the beginning of a period of increasing division in Australian society.
Furthermore, Australia’s commitment to the Vietnam War lead to the formation of several active groups in Australian society that were willing to protest against the war and conscription. Early protests in Australia were minor and non-violent, organised largely by anti-war movements mainly against the issue of conscription. The Youth Campaign against Conscription (YCAC), for example, founded primarily by university students, organised marched demonstrations. Silent protest vigils were also arranged by the Save our Sons (SOS) movement, largely consisting of middle-aged and middle-classed women. There were also ‘teach-ins’ organised from 1965 onwards as propaganda against the Vietnam War and conscription. Over time, as the Australian society realised the nature of the Vietnam War anti-war sentiments strengthened with left-wing trade unions, such as Seaman’s Union refusing to transport war materials to Vietnam in 1966. Protests became more radical with rising tension over the unchanged conscription policy coupled with increased knowledge of the war’s atrocities and the Australian society’s rapidly changing support of the Vietnam War. For example, some men burnt their national service registration card in response to the conscription issue. Most significant was the Vietnam Moratorium Campaign, organising an Australia-wide demonstration in the early 1970’s, involving hundreds of thousands of people calling for the withdrawal of Australian troops and an end to conscription. By the early 1970’s, the dramatic division of Australian society over involvement in the war and conscription was at its peak.
As well as demonstrating Australian society’s willingness to protest, the Vietnam War had controversial effects on society’s changing political views. The changing support of the war is evident from 1969 public opinion polls showing that in just four months, the number of Australian people in favour of withdrawing Australian troops from Vietnam had risen from 40% to 50%. The frustration of the Australian society over the Vietnam War soon meant the eventual 1972 election of a Labor government.
Moreover, the unpopularity of Australian involvement in the Vietnam War had a substantially negative impact on Australian society’s acceptance of returning soldiers and veterans at the time and of future generations. Incongruous to the Australian traditions and practices that recall the sacrifices of Australians who served and died in World War I and II, the soldiers returning from the Vietnam War received insignificant recognition and celebration for their services from Australian society. Many found it difficult to reassimilate into normal civilian life because of the hostile treatment they received from anti-war protesters. At the time, Australian society offered insufficient or no help to those veterans affected by their experiences in the Vietnam War, including exposure to chemicals such as ‘Agent Orange’. Often they would turn to drugs, alcohol and suicide in an effort to escape the stress and mental torment. Gradually, the Australian people came to realise the sufferings of Vietnam veterans and organisations/groups such as the Vietnam Veterans Association of Australia (VVAA) were formed. By 3 October 1987, fifteen years after the end of the Vietnam War, a ‘Welcome Back’ parade was finally held for veterans. This marked a turning point in Australian society’s attitude towards veterans who had been involved in the Vietnam War. Today, the Australian society has realised their poor acceptance of the Vietnam veterans and now recognises and respects them.
Australia’s involvement in the Vietnam War has significantly affected the Australian society in the 1960’s and 1970’s, as well as future generations.