The Albanese government has not taken these steps and currently has no policy to reintroduce mandatory military service.

Claim misinterprets long-standing legislation

Compulsory military service within Australia and its region came into effect after the outbreak of World War Two, and the last national service was reintroduced in 1964 amid conflicts in Southeast Asia, with powers enabling the government to send Australians to fight overseas introduced in 1965.

However, the act says that before people can be called to serve, the governor-general must make a proclamation, which needs to be approved by the House of Representatives and the Senate.

While the act was updated in February, it was related to an updated acronym and had nothing to do with military service.

Defence Act still allows for conscription

He noted the findings of a 2023 joint parliamentary inquiry into international armed conflict decision-making, which confirmed that the governor-general may call upon people who meet eligibility requirements to serve during times of war.

The Department of Defence confirmed there were no plans to introduce a national service conscription scheme.