[1] Politics in the state of Victoria in the previous decade had been a 3-way contest between the Conservative, Liberal and Labor parties.

This divide resulted in a no confidence motion being passed to the government of William Watt, when the rural based Liberal MPs and the opposition Labor MPs defeated the government in December 1913.

To much surprise, Governor John Madden appointed the opposition Labor party under George Elmslie to government, although it was impossible to retain its position due to its minority in numbers, and that the law at the time stated that new ministers had to recontest their seats at by-elections.

Watt returned as Premier on 22 December 1913, and remained until he resigned in June 1914 to enter Federal politics.

Peacock's administration enthusiastically contributed to the war, and was seeking reelection on this basis.