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Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people should be aware that the National Archives' website and collection contain the names, images and voices of people who have died.

Some records include terms and views that are not appropriate today. They reflect the period in which they were created and are not the views of the National Archives.

Portrait of Chris Watson

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  4. Chris Watson

Chris Watson

John Christian (Chris) Watson was the Prime Minister of Australia in 1904.

About Chris Watson

Portrait of Chris Watson

  • Born: (probably) 9 April 1867
  • Died: 18 November 1941
  • Partner: Ada Jane Watson
  • Political party: 
    • Australian Labor Party (As PM)
    • Nationalist Party
  • Image: NAA: A1200, L11176A

Chris Watson was Australia's 3rd Prime Minister (and first Labor Prime Minister). He held office for only 4 months in 1904, but his imprint on legislation extended through the first 10 years of the Australian Parliament.

Watson was a founder and one of the principal architects of the early Australian Labor Party.

Did you know?

Chris Watson:

  • made Australia the first nation with a labour prime minister
  • established the solidarity rule by which he was expelled from the Labor Party
  • designed the soldier settlement scheme in 1917
  • was a trustee of the Sydney Cricket Ground
  • was a founder of the National Roads and Motorists Association
  • was a founder and the first chairman of Ampol in 1936

In this section: Chris Watson

  • Fast facts
  • Timeline
  • Before office
  • Elections
  • During office
  • After office
  • Partner
  • Key people
  • Records

Learning Resources

Original records and material to help students with their research.

Record

Coded cablegram from Lord Henry Northcote about the fall of the Deakin government.

Fall of the Deakin government and forming of the Watson government – coded message sent by Governor-General

These two cablegrams form part of correspondence from the Governor-General's office reporting the fall of the Deakin government.

Records about Chris Watson

View selected National Archives' records about Chris Watson

View records

Explore Prime Ministers

Portrait of Alfred Deakin

Alfred Deakin

1903–1904
1905–1908
1909–1910

Portrait of George Reid

George Reid

1904–1905

Portrait of Andrew Fisher

Andrew Fisher

1908–1909
1910–1913
1914–1915

Old Parliament House, Canberra

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