John Watson (Australian politician)
Encyclopedia
John Odin Wentworth Watson (born 25 January 1937) is an Australian politician. He was a Liberal
member of the Australian Senate
from 1978 to 2008, representing the state of Tasmania
. From July 2005 until he left parliament in June 2008, he was the Father of the Senate.
Watson was born in Launceston
and educated at the University of Tasmania
, where he graduated in economics and accountancy. He was a chartered accountant
, company director and lecturer in accountancy before entering politics.
Watson was a member of the Coalition Shadow Ministry from 1990 to 1994 but never held ministerial office. He was however one of the Senate's leading experts on taxation and superannuation matters and is highly regarded by his Coalition colleagues. He was expected to announce his retirement at the 2007 election, but decided to apply for preselection, despite being 70 years of age.
On 12 May 2007, Watson was defeated in his bid for preselection after his decision to recontest sparked anger within the party. Watson considered suing on the grounds of age discrimination but ultimately decided against it.
Liberal Party of Australia
The Liberal Party of Australia is an Australian political party.Founded a year after the 1943 federal election to replace the United Australia Party, the centre-right Liberal Party typically competes with the centre-left Australian Labor Party for political office...
member of the Australian Senate
Australian Senate
The Senate is the upper house of the bicameral Parliament of Australia, the lower house being the House of Representatives. Senators are popularly elected under a system of proportional representation. Senators are elected for a term that is usually six years; after a double dissolution, however,...
from 1978 to 2008, representing the state of Tasmania
Tasmania
Tasmania is an Australian island and state. It is south of the continent, separated by Bass Strait. The state includes the island of Tasmania—the 26th largest island in the world—and the surrounding islands. The state has a population of 507,626 , of whom almost half reside in the greater Hobart...
. From July 2005 until he left parliament in June 2008, he was the Father of the Senate.
Watson was born in Launceston
Launceston, Tasmania
Launceston is a city in the north of the state of Tasmania, Australia at the junction of the North Esk and South Esk rivers where they become the Tamar River. Launceston is the second largest city in Tasmania after the state capital Hobart...
and educated at the University of Tasmania
University of Tasmania
The University of Tasmania is a medium-sized public Australian university based in Tasmania, Australia. Officially founded on 1 January 1890, it was the fourth university to be established in nineteenth-century Australia...
, where he graduated in economics and accountancy. He was a chartered accountant
Chartered Accountant
Chartered Accountants were the first accountants to form a professional body, initially established in Britain in 1854. The Edinburgh Society of Accountants , the Glasgow Institute of Accountants and Actuaries and the Aberdeen Society of Accountants were each granted a royal charter almost from...
, company director and lecturer in accountancy before entering politics.
Watson was a member of the Coalition Shadow Ministry from 1990 to 1994 but never held ministerial office. He was however one of the Senate's leading experts on taxation and superannuation matters and is highly regarded by his Coalition colleagues. He was expected to announce his retirement at the 2007 election, but decided to apply for preselection, despite being 70 years of age.
On 12 May 2007, Watson was defeated in his bid for preselection after his decision to recontest sparked anger within the party. Watson considered suing on the grounds of age discrimination but ultimately decided against it.
External links
- Official Senate Website from The Parliament of Australia
- Watson dumped from Liberal Party senate ticket from ABC News Online