Debates about government's involvement in Vietnam raged from the first decision to commit troop in1965. In 1966, however, it seemed that the great majority of Australians still supported the war. By 1968, opposition to the war has risen significantly. Lots of people was touched by the devastating scene on TV and more and more started to oppose Australia's involvement. The publications of atrocities committed by US troop future aggravate the situation. The most infamous was the My Lai incident, in which US soldiers killed over two hundred innocent Vietnamese civilians, including many women and children. The use of new weapons such as napalm and chemical defoliants to kill the jungle that harbored the Viet Cong also aroused domestic opposition.

Australia's anti-war movement was strongly connected to protests against conscription. Australian Government introduced conscription for selected 20-year old men in 1966. The conscripts were chosen by a ballot, with birth dates selected like in a lottery. By 1967, burning draft registration cards had become common. The government took a tough stand on this matter which arise more public protest. The organization organize the protests includes Youth against Conscription and Save Our Sons