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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.

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Portrait of Chris Watson

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  5. Chris Watson: timeline

Chris Watson: timeline

Chris Watson was the Prime Minister of Australia in 1904.

On this page

  • 1900 to 1909
  • 1910 to 1919
  • 1940 to 1949

1900 to 1909

29 Mar 1901: 1st elected to Federal Parliament

John Christian (Chris) Watson was elected as Member of Parliament for the seat of Bland (NSW) in the first federal election.

8 May 1901: Elected Labor Party leader

At the inaugural meeting of the 1st Federal Parliamentary Labor Party, Watson was elected leader; the 1st Federal Parliament was ceremonially opened the next day.

16 Dec 1903: 2nd federal election

Alfred Deakin’s Protectionist government returned. Labor increased its representation to hold 25 seats in the House of Representative and 14 in the Senate.

27 Apr 1904: 3rd Prime Minister

Labor members withdrew support for the Deakin government on an amendment to the Conciliation and Arbitration Bill. Deakin resigned as prime minister; the same day, the Governor-General, Lord Northcote, summoned Watson to form Australia’s first federal Labor government. Watson, aged 37, was Australia’s youngest prime minister.

15 Aug 1904: Resigns as prime minister

Watson government was defeated in the House on the Conciliation and Arbitration Bill on 12 August. Unable to command a majority in the House of Representatives, Watson resigned as prime minister.

12 Dec 1906: 3rd federal election

Watson stood successfully for the seat of South Sydney (NSW) after his seat of Bland was abolished following a redistribution.

24 Oct 1907: Resigns leadership of Labor Party

Watson resigned as leader of the Labor Party. Andrew Fisher succeeded him as leader.

1910 to 1919

13 Apr 1910: 4th federal election

Watson did not recontest his seat at the 1910 election and left Parliament. Andrew Fisher’s Labor Party won an outright majority to form government.

1940 to 1949

18 Nov 1941: Death

Watson died at his home in Double Bay, Sydney, aged 74.

In this section: Chris Watson

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

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Explore Prime Ministers

Portrait of Alfred Deakin

Alfred Deakin

1903–1904
1905–1908
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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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