Page "United Australia Party" Paragraph 30

Having spent all but eight months of its existence prior to 1941 in government, the UAP was ill-prepared for a role in opposition.

Curtin proved a popular leader, rallying the nation in the face of the danger of invasion by the Japanese after Japan's entry into the war in December 1941.

The Labor government seemed more effective than its predecessor, and Fadden and Hughes were unable to get the better of Curtin.

By the time the writs were dropped for the 1943 federal election, the Coalition had sunk into near paralysis.

At the election, the Coalition suffered a massive defeat and was reduced to only 19 seats nationwide.