Editing Hal Colebatch (section)

==Back in Australia==
During [[World War II]], Colebatch was the vice-president of the State Executive Committee for raising war funds. Brian De Garis wrote that "he could take satisfaction in the good record of Western Australia in this respect, for it raised more per head in War Savings Certificates than the wealthier and more populous states." He used his position in ''The Northam Advertiser'' to urge readers to take the war seriously and prepare the country for what was to come, as well as further advocate for [[Conscription in Australia|conscription]].{{sfn|Colebatch|2004|p=225}}

Colebatch was again elected to the Legislative Council, this time to the [[Metropolitan Province (Western Australia)|Metropolitan Province]], taking his seat in July 1940. At this time, he was living in [[Lawson Flats]] in the [[Perth (suburb)|Perth central business district]]. He believed that parliament could use his experience in local, national and international affairs during the war.{{sfn|Colebatch|2004|p=228}} Among the things he opposed was legislation designed to prevent foreigners from growing potatoes,{{sfn|Colebatch|2004|p=237}} and a bill to amend the Parliamentary Allowances Act to increase the retirement payments for MPs.{{sfn|Colebatch|2004|p=238}} He was also the chairman of the [[Royal Commission into the Care and Reform of Youthful Delinquents]].{{sfn|Colebatch|2004|p=274}}

Colebatch contested the [[1948 Western Australian Legislative Council election]] as one of two candidates endorsed by the Liberal Party for his seat. The party did not want Colebatch elected though, and only helped the other candidate. Colebatch lost the election as a result.{{sfn|Colebatch|2004|p=274}}