Watson ministry

The Watson ministry (Labour) was the 3rd ministry of the Government of Australia, and the first national Labour government formed in the world. It was led by the country's 3rd Prime Minister, Chris Watson. The Watson ministry succeeded the First Deakin ministry, which dissolved on 27 April 1904 after Labour withdrew their support and Alfred Deakin was forced to resign. The ministry was replaced by the Reid ministry on 17 August 1904 after the Protectionist Party withdrew their support over the Conciliation and Arbitration Bill.[1]

See also: Watson government
Watson ministry

3rd Ministry of Australia
Group photo of the Watson ministry with Governor-General Lord Northcote.
Date formed27 April 1904
Date dissolved17 August 1904
People and organisations
MonarchEdward VII
Governor-GeneralLord Northcote
Prime MinisterChris Watson
No. of ministers8
Member partyLabour
Status in legislatureMinority government (Protectionist support)
Opposition partyFree Trade
Opposition leaderGeorge Reid
History
Legislature term(s)2nd
PredecessorFirst Deakin ministry
SuccessorReid ministry

Billy Hughes, who died in 1952, was the last surviving member of the Watson ministry; Hughes was also the last surviving member of the First Fisher ministry, Third Fisher ministry, Second Hughes ministry and Third Hughes ministry.

Ministry
Party Minister Portrait Portfolio
 Labor Hon Chris Watson
(1867–1941)

MP for Bland
(1901–1906)
  Hon Billy Hughes
(1862–1952)

MP for West Sydney
(1901–1917)
 Protectionist Hon H. B. Higgins KC
(1851–1929)

MP for Northern Melbourne
(1901–1906)[lower-alpha 1]
 Labor Hon Lee Batchelor
(1865–1911)

MP for Boothby
(1903–1911)
  Hon Andrew Fisher
(1862–1928)

MP for Wide Bay
(1901–1915)
  Hon Anderson Dawson
(1863–1910)

Senator for Queensland
(1901–1906)
  Hon Hugh Mahon
(1857–1931)

MP for Coolgardie
(1901–1913)
  Hon Gregor McGregor
(1848–1914)

Senator for South Australia
(1901–1914)

Notes
  1. The Protectionist Party member Higgins accepted office (with Alfred Deakin's permission) as Attorney-General since the Labour Party did not have a lawyer in its parliamentary ranks with the exception of Billy Hughes, who had recently admitted as a barrister but who was already serving in another portfolio and was not viewed as qualified for the post. It was the only time a non-member of the Labour Party has served in a Labour ministry.

References
  1. "Ministries and Cabinets". Parliamentary Handbook. Parliament of Australia. Retrieved 17 September 2010.
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