Advisory War Council

28 October 1940

During the Second World War, Prime Minister Robert Menzies approached the Leader of the Opposition John Curtin proposing they form a national government – a government where the major parties would join together to lead the country through the crisis. This model had been established in Great Britain. Curtin declined, and instead suggested that the conduct of the war be directed by an Advisory War Council, comprised of members of both the government and the opposition. The Advisory War Council was established in 1940. With the assistance of the Chiefs of Staff of the armed forces, the Council met regularly to make major decisions about war strategy and how resources should be used.

Upon the outbreak of the Second World War in 1939 Prime Minister Menzies announced the formation of a War Cabinet. The ministers chosen from the full Cabinet would be able to make decisions about the war quickly, leaving Cabinet to deal with other issues. The Advisory War Council replaced the War Cabinet in importance when it was agreed Council decisions could be accepted as War Cabinet decisions. The government and opposition worked together on the Council to achieve common goals which benefited the successful conduct of the war.