First World War: War Precautions Act 1914

After the outbreak of the First World War, the federal parliament, following the lead of Britain, passed the War Precautions Act 1914.

This law extended the government’s power, allowing it to introduce restrictions on the Australian population for the duration of the war. It aimed to protect communication and transport systems and to censor information that might assist the enemy.

The law restricted the freedom of groups and individuals thought to be a threat—including those who were critical of Australia’s involvement in the war. Associated regulations required people with connections to enemy nations to register as ‘aliens’. During the war years, many of these ‘aliens’ were interned in camps across Australia.

Curriculum areas

Year 9 History

Questions

What was purpose of the War Precautions Act 1914?
In what ways would the Act have affected the lives of Australians?
Who were considered ‘aliens’ during the First World War?

Records

Record

Report on the arrest of suffragette Adela Pankhurst for anti-war protest.

Anti-war protest – report on the arrest of suffragette Adela Pankhurst

A letter sent by the crown solicitor to the secretary of the Attorney-General's Department about the conviction of Adela Pankhurst in Melbourne in 1917.

Record

Memorandum on the War Precautions Bill

This document explains the purpose and scope of the War Precautions Bill, introduced just weeks after the outbreak of the First World War.

Record

War Precautions Act - poster outlining regulations

This is an extract from a poster outlining regulations from the War Precautions Act during the First World War.

Record

This is a form noting Cezere Clementi's failure to register himself as an 'alien'.

Failure to meet Alien Registration Regulations under the War Precautions Act – Cezere Clementi

After the outbreak of the First World War, the federal parliament, following the lead of Britain, passed the War Precautions Act 1914. This law extended the government’s power, allowing it to introduce restrictions on the Australian population for the duration of the war.

Record

This is a photograph of German internee Johan Wenke's identification number: 5588.

German internee at Liverpool Camp during the First World War – Johan Wenke

A photograph of Johan Wenke showing him as an internee (civilian prisoner) at Holsworthy Concentration Camp near Liverpool, on the outskirts of Sydney, in 1918.

Record

Internment of married German couples at Berrima Camp, New South Wales

This is a letter written to Captain Jones, Intelligence Section, 3rd Military District, regarding the internment of married couples.