The Victorian Parliament and World War II

On the 80th anniversary of Victory in the Pacific Day, which meant the end of World War II for Australia, this paper reflects on the role of, and events in, the Victorian Parliament during the war years.

The outbreak of hostilities in 1939 led to the Victorian Parliament passing the National Security (Emergency Powers) Act 1939, facilitating cooperation with the Commonwealth. A State War Advisory Committee was appointed, and extensive planning and activity centred on civil defence and economic support for the war effort. In the public service and community, civil defence resourcing and air raid precautions were underway; several Victorian Members of Parliament also stepped away from their roles to undertake active service.

The war corresponded with a unique period in the state’s political history. Country Party Member Albert Dunstan became Premier and oversaw pre-war preparations, completing the state’s ‘war book’ in the late 1930s. He also went on to become the state’s first long-running Premier.

This paper provides a summary of the key political events occurring in Victoria around the war, while also detailing the activities carried out to ensure the Parliament and the state were well prepared for the war and its aftermath. It also highlights the sitting Members of Parliament who served in the military during the war.