10/14/1968: Australia’s First Draft Dodger Conviction

John Zarb becomes the first Australian conscientious objector convicted of failing to comply with his draft notice. He’s sentenced to two years’ prison time. He was 21 years old, and had previously been refused official conscientious objector status. Publicity of his conviction increased public opposition to conscription, and he became a poster child for the anti-war movement. The General Secretary of the Amalgamated Postal Workers’ Union, of which Zarb was a member, stated “John Zarb is a political prisoner, gaoled by fascists. He refuses to take part in the murder of people who have done him no harm. He upholds the Christian principle of ‘thou shalt not kill’”. Zarb was released 10 months, 7 days later on compassionate grounds.