John Watkins (Australian politician)

Infobox_President | name =John Watkins


nationality =Australian
order =Deputy Premier of New South Wales
term_start =August 2005
term_end =3 September, 2008
deputy =
predecessor =Andrew Refshauge
successor =Carmel Tebbutt
birth_date =birth date and age|1955|12|7|df=y
birth_place =Sydney, New South Wales
death_date =
death_place =
constituency =Ryde
party =Australian Labor Party
spouse =Deborah Watkins
profession =Teacher
religion =Roman Catholic


footnotes =|

John Arthur Watkins (born December 7, 1955) is an Australian Labor Party member of the New South Wales Legislative Assembly, presently holding the seat of Ryde. He was originally elected to the Assembly in 1995 when he won the previously safe Liberal seat of Gladesville, before switching to the new seat of Ryde in 1999 when electoral boundaries were redrawn. Watkins is a prominent member of Labor's left faction. On 3 September, 2008, Watkins announced his intention to resign from the Ministry and from Parliament. This will prompt a by-election in his seat of Ryde. He is expected to take up a position as head of Alzheimers Australia. [Australian Broadcasting Corporation, [http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2008/09/03/2354461.htm "NSW Deputy Premier Watkins announces retirement"] , 3 September, 2008. Accessed 3 September, 2008.]

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 upon the appointment of Morris Iemma as Premier.

Watkins has held the cabinet position of Transport Minister since January 2005. He was appointed Minister for Finance on 30 March 2007 following the reelection of the Iemma Government.

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).

Background

Watkins is married to Deborah. They have 5 children.

Watkins 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 the prestigious St. Joseph's College in Hunters Hill. His wife also does relief teaching at a number of schools.

Watkins was a former Alderman on Hunters Hill Municipal Council from 1987 to 1991, and held the position of Deputy Mayor.

External links

* [http://www.parliament.nsw.gov.au/Prod/Parlment/Members.nsf/c8a9b0fc61cd9910ca256e7c000acca0/a3975288df0efce34a25674500016556!OpenDocument/ Profile of John Watkins on NSW Parliament website]