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.