The Watson ministry (Labour) was the 3rd ministry of the Government of Australia, and the first national Labour government formed in the world. It was led by the country's 3rd Prime Minister, Chris Watson. The Watson ministry succeeded the First Deakin ministry, which dissolved on 27 April 1904 after Labour withdrew their support and Alfred Deakin was forced to resign. The ministry was replaced by the Reid ministry on 17 August 1904 after the Protectionist Party withdrew their support over the Conciliation and Arbitration Bill.
Billy Hughes, who died in 1952, was the last surviving member of the Watson ministry; Hughes was also the last surviving member of the First Fisher ministry, Third Fisher ministry, Second Hughes ministry and Third Hughes ministry.
Ministry Party Minister Portrait Portfolio Labor Chris Watson for Bland Prime Minister Leader of the Labor Party Treasurer Billy Hughes for West Sydney Minister for External Affairs Protectionist H. B. Higgins for Northern Melbourne Attorney-General Labor Lee Batchelor for Boothby Minister for Home Affairs Andrew Fisher for Wide Bay Minister for Trade and Customs Anderson Dawson Senator for Queensland Minister for Defence Hugh Mahon for Coolgardie Postmaster-General Gregor McGregor Senator for South Australia Deputy Leader of the Labor Party Vice-President of the Executive Council Leader of the Government in the Senate
Notes
References