WHAT: Australia initially had very high recruitment rates into the Australian Imperial Force, however, as time passed and numbers started to wane, The AIF needed further reinforcements as the Australian military were forbidden from participating in fighting overseas. Prime Minister, Billy Hughes attempted to introduce conscription into the Australian Imperial Force through two referendums; one in 1916, and one in 1917. Both of these referendums were narrowly defeated, so conscription was never implemented in Australia.
