 However, a reduction of powers of the commission after a judgment of the high court resulted in Swinburne's decision to resign.Swinburne did significant World War I work and was chairman of the board of business administration of the defence department, and later was civil and finance member of the military board.In 1919 when the electricity commission was instituted Swinburne was appointed one of the four commissioners, with Sir John Monash as chairman.