The Coalition won 36 seats, two short of a majority, but formed a government on 28 October 1940 with the support of both independent crossbenchers, Alexander Wilson and Arthur Coles.

It remains the only time since the 1910 introduction of the two-party system where the government has changed as the result of a parliamentary confidence vote.

[4] Throughout July and August 1940, Prime Minister Robert Menzies contemplated the prospect of an early election.

[5] The loss of three Cabinet ministers in the 1940 Canberra air disaster on 13 August also meant that three by-elections would have been required, followed within a few short months by a general election.

Both the Coalition and Labor supported Australia's ongoing participation in World War II.