David Watkins (Australian politician)

For his son, the Member for Newcastle 1935-58, see David Oliver Watkins.
David Watkins
Member of the Australian Parliament
for Newcastle
In office
29 March 1901  8 April 1935
Preceded by New seat
Succeeded by David Watkins
Personal details
Born 5 May 1865
Wallsend, New South Wales
Died 8 April 1935 (aged 69)
Nationality Australian
Political party Australian Labor Party
Children David Oliver Watkins
Occupation Coal miner, unionist

David Watkins (5 May 1865 8 April 1935) was an Australian politician and Member of the Australian House of Representatives for Newcastle from 1901 until his death in 1935.

Born in Wallsend, New South Wales to Welsh parents, Watkins embarked upon a career as a coal miner in the Wallsend colliery in 1881. In 1894, after several years as a trade union official, he entered politics when he successfully ran for Wallsend in the New South Wales Legislative Assembly on behalf of the Labor Party.

Labour Party MPs elected at the inaugural 1901 election, including Watson, Fisher, Hughes, and Tudor. Watkins is situated middle row far left, the only man of his party not to sport facial hair.

Upon Federation, Watkins won the seat of Newcastle in the House of Representatives for the Australian Labor Party, on which he served until his death from cancer. Although he never achieved ministerial status, Watkins had not changed his seat or party allegiance during his federal political career, and his death left Billy Hughes as the only remaining member of the First Parliament still in the House. Watkins' second son, David Oliver Watkins, stood for his seat in parliament in a 1935 by-election, which he won easily and held for 23 years.

References

Parliament of New South Wales
Preceded by
New seat
Member for Wallsend
1894 1901
Succeeded by
John Estell
Parliament of Australia
New division Member for Newcastle
1901–1935
Succeeded by
David Oliver Watkins