 In Australia , however , public opinion about the matter was divided with many Australians opposed to the issue on moral grounds , feeling that the situation was not desperate enough to require such a drastic measure , while others felt it necessary in order to achieve final victory . The Hughes Labor government decided to hold a plebiscite on the matter and on 28 October 1916 the matter was decided by a narrow margin of 51 per cent to 49 per cent , with the no vote prevailing . Despite the result , the issue split the Labor Party and the pro @-@ conscription prime minister , Billy Hughes , ultimately left the party and joined with members of the opposition that supported conscription to form a new party , known as the Nationalist Party . 
