Tony has lived in and around the Watson electorate all his life and completed his secondary education at Strathfield. He enjoys getting out and about in the electorate, particularly at local festivals which he says highlight the colour and community spirit of the Watson area.
Tony served as Member of the NSW Legislative Council before being elected to Federal Parliament in 2004 as the Federal Member for Watson. He was appointed directly to the front bench and served as Shadow Minister for Small Business and Shadow Minister for Immigration.
In 2007, Tony was appointed as Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry and then Minister for Sustainable Population in 2010. During his time as Minister he travelled more than 150,000 km across Australia, meeting people working on farms and in the fishing and forestry sectors.
Since his appointment in September 2010, Tony now is pleased to serve as the Minister for Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities in the Gillard Labor Government.
His achievements include the reform of drought assistance, reforming the nation’s bio-security system, abolishing the AWB’s single deck monopoly and overseeing nearly 50 trade market access wins in international markets. Tony was also responsible for many smaller community based projects including local Landcare projects, and employment and training programs for indigenous youth in the primary industries.
Tony is also a Canterbury Bulldogs fan and enjoys kayaking in local national parks.
Electorate Profile
Watson
State:
NSW
Name Derivation:
Named after John Watson (1867-1941), Prime Minister of Australia 27 April-12 August 1904.
Area and Location Description:
Watson covers an area of approximately 42 sq km from Strathfield in the north to Roselands in the south, Canterbury in the east and Mount Lewis in the west. The main suburbs include Belfield, Belmore, Burwood Heights, Campsie, Chullora, Clemton Park, Enfield, Greenacre, Lakemba, Mount Lewis, Roselands, Strathfield South, Wiley Park and parts of Ashbury, Bankstown, Beverly Hills, Burwood, Canterbury, Croydon, Croydon Park, Earlwood, Kingsgrove, Narwee, Punchbowl, Riverwood and Strathfield.
Products/Industries of the Area:
Light manufacturing and service industries.
First Proclaimed/Election:
1992/1993 (Watson became a division in 1992 but was previously known as St George which became a division in 1948.)
Demographic Rating:
Inner Metropolitan
Members:
- Burke, T (ALP) 2004-
- McLeay, L (ALP) 1993-2004