David Watson (Queensland politician)

Summary

David John Hopetoun Watson (born 29 January 1945)[1] is an Australian former politician.

David Watson
Leader of the Queensland Liberal Party
Elections: 2001
In office
23 June 1998 – 28 February 2001
DeputyBob Quinn
Preceded byJoan Sheldon
Succeeded byBob Quinn
Shadow Minister for Energy
In office
22 April 2003 – 7 February 2004
LeaderLawrence Springborg
Preceded byJeff Seeney
Succeeded byJeff Seeney
Shadow Treasurer of Queensland
In office
2 July 1998 – 17 February 2001
LeaderRob Borbidge
Preceded byDavid Hamill
Succeeded byJeff Seeney
Minister for Public Works and Housing
of Queensland
In office
28 April 1997 – 26 June 1998
PremierRob Borbidge
Preceded byRay Connor
Succeeded byRobert Schwarten
Deputy Leader of the
Queensland Liberal Party
In office
13 May 1990 – 24 September 1992
LeaderDenver Beanland
Joan Sheldon
Preceded byDenver Beanland
Succeeded bySanto Santoro
Member of the Australian Parliament
for Forde
In office
1 December 1984 – 11 July 1987
Preceded byNew seat
Succeeded byMary Crawford
Member of the Queensland Legislative Assembly
for Moggill
In office
2 December 1989 – 7 February 2004
Preceded byBill Lickiss
Succeeded byBruce Flegg
Personal details
Born
David John Hopetoun Watson

(1945-01-29) 29 January 1945 (age 79)
Sydney
NationalityAustralian
Political partyLiberal Party of Australia
Alma materUniversity of Queensland
Ohio State University
OccupationAccountant

Early life edit

Born in Sydney, Watson was educated at the University of Queensland and Ohio State University before becoming an accountant. He was Professor of Accounting and Dean of Commerce and Economics at the University of Queensland before entering politics.[1]

Politics edit

In 1984, Watson was elected to the Australian House of Representatives as the Liberal member for Forde. He was defeated in the next federal election in 1987, but in 1989 was elected to the Legislative Assembly of Queensland as the member for Moggill. He was the Queensland Minister for Housing and Public Works 1997–1998 and Leader of the Queensland Liberal Party 1998–2001.[2] As state Liberal leader and Deputy Leader of the Opposition, he led the Liberals into the 2001 state election, which saw Labor reelected in a record landslide. Watson himself was nearly swept up in that year's massive Labor wave, surviving by only 396 votes. He was left as the only non-Labor MLA from Brisbane.

References edit

  1. ^ a b "Watson, Dr David John Hopetoun". Queensland Parliament. Archived from the original on 13 September 2017. Retrieved 13 September 2017.
  2. ^ Carr, Adam (2008). "Australian Election Archive". Psephos, Adam Carr's Election Archive. Retrieved 13 July 2008.
Parliament of Australia
Preceded by
New seat
Member for Forde
1984–1987
Succeeded by
Parliament of Queensland
Preceded by Member for Moggill
1989–2004
Succeeded by
Political offices
Preceded by Parliamentary Leader of the Liberal Party in Queensland
1998–2001
Succeeded by