John Watkins (Australian politician)
| The Honourable John Watkins AM |
|
|---|---|
| Deputy Premier of New South Wales | |
| In office 10 August 2005 – 3 September 2008 |
|
| Preceded by | Andrew Refshauge |
| Succeeded by | Carmel Tebbutt |
| Constituency | Ryde |
| Chancellor of the University of New England | |
| In office 17 April 2013 – 30 June 2014 |
|
| Preceded by | Richard Torbay |
| Succeeded by | James Harris |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 7 December 1955 Sydney, New South Wales |
| Nationality | Australian |
| Political party | Australian Labor Party |
| Spouse(s) | Deborah Watkins |
| Profession | Teacher |
| Religion | Roman Catholic |
John Arthur Watkins AM [1] (born 7 December 1955) is a former Deputy Premier of New South Wales, serving between 2005 until his resignation from Parliament in 2008. Watkins has been the Chief Executive Officer of Alzheimer's Australia (NSW) since 2008; the Chairman of Calvary healthcare since 2011; and the eighth Chancellor of the University of New England, serving between 2013 and 2014.[2]
Watkins was an elected member of the New South Wales Legislative Assembly representing the electorates of Gladesville (between 1995 and 1999) and then Ryde (between 1999 and 2008) for the Australian Labor Party. During his parliamentary career, Watkins served in a range of ministerial portfolios including Fair Trading, Sport and Recreation, Police and Corrective Services, Transport, Finance, State Development, and Education and Training. Often touted as a possible Labor premier,[3] Watkins was from the minority Labor Left faction.[4]
Contents
Ministerial career
Watkins was the former Deputy Premier of New South Wales, Minister for Transport and Minister for Finance. Watkins was appointed Deputy Premier in August 2005, following the resignation of Andrew Refshauge and upon the appointment of Morris Iemma as Premier. Watkins held the cabinet position of Transport Minister from January 2005. He was appointed Minister for Finance on 30 March 2007 following the reelection of the Iemma Government. Watkins resigned from Cabinet and retired from Parliament in 2008. His retirement triggered the unintentional downfall of Premier Morris Iemma.[5] His resignation came at a bad time for the government; its polling numbers were in free fall only a year after winning reelection. In the ensuing by-election, Ryde was resoundingly lost to Liberal Victor Dominello on a swing of 23.7 percent; only a year earlier, Watkins had been reelected with 60 percent of the two-party vote.
Prior ministerial posts included Minister for Police (2003–2005 and 2006–2007), Minister for Education (2001–2003) and Minister for Fair Trading and Sports (1999–2001).
Early years and background
Watkins is married to Deborah and together they have five children. He holds a Bachelor of Laws degree, a Master of Arts degree and a Diploma of Education. Prior to becoming a politician, Watkins was a school teacher at St. Joseph's College, Hunters Hill.
Watkins was a former Alderman on Hunters Hill Municipal Council from 1987 to 1991, and held the position of Deputy Mayor.
Post politics
In 2008 Watkins was appointed as Chief Executive Officer of Alzheimer's Australia (NSW); in 2011 he was appointed Chairman of Calvary (Little Company of Mary Healthcare); and in April 2013, he was appointed to succeed Richard Torbay as the eighth Chancellor of the University of New England,[6] until his resignation in June 2014.
References
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External links
- The Hon. John Arthur Watkins – New South Wales Parliament webpage
- Inaugural speech to the Legislative Assembly – Hansard. 17 October 1995
| Parliament of New South Wales | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by | Member for Gladesville 1995 – 1999 |
District abolished |
| New district | Member for Ryde 1999 – 2008 |
Succeeded by Victor Dominello |
| Political offices | ||
| Preceded by | Minister for Fair Trading 1999 – 2001 |
Succeeded by Reba Meagher |
| Preceded by | Minister for Sport and Recreation 1999 – 2001 |
Succeeded by Sandra Nori as Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation |
| Preceded by | Minister for Corrective Services 2001 |
Succeeded by Bob Debus |
| Preceded by | Minister for Education and Training 2001 – 2003 |
Succeeded by Andrew Refshauge |
| Preceded by | Minister for Police 2003 – 2005 |
Succeeded by Carl Scully |
| Preceded by
Michael Costa
as Minister for Transport Services |
Minister for Transport 2005 – 2008 |
Succeeded by David Campbell |
| Preceded by | Minister for State Development 2005 – 2006 |
Succeeded by Morris Iemma |
| Preceded by | Deputy Premier of New South Wales 2005 – 2008 |
Succeeded by Carmel Tebbutt |
| Preceded by | Minister for Police 2006–2007 |
Succeeded by David Campbell |
| Preceded by | Minister for Finance 2007 – 2008 |
Succeeded by Joe Tripodi |
| Academic offices | ||
| Preceded by | Chancellor of the University of New England 2013 – 2014 |
Succeeded by James Harris |
- Use dmy dates from October 2014
- Use Australian English from October 2014
- All Wikipedia articles written in Australian English
- 1955 births
- Living people
- Deputy Premiers of New South Wales
- Members of the New South Wales Legislative Assembly
- Members of the Order of Australia
- People educated at St Pius X College
- Chancellors of the University of New England (Australia)
- Australian Labor Party members of the Parliament of New South Wales
