By Iain McIntyre.
With anti-conscription sentiment and opposition to the Vietnam War reaching an all-time high, 7,775 men were balloted in and made subject to prosecution for failing to register during 1971. At the same time the Federal Government’s will to deal with draft resistance begins to falter, with only 1,089 being prosecuted in any way, of whom only 10 are jailed. In an attempt to further push the envelope, a group of draft resisters chained themselves to the Pentridge Prison gates in the same year daring the Government to come and get them.
When this fails to get a response they board a tram (still manacled) and repeat the performance outside the Labour and National Service building in the city. Only one is arrested, and later released on a $200 bond. The Government however is seriously embarrassed and the effectiveness of conscription further undermined.