The Life and Times of Chris Watson

Discover the story of Chris Watson, Australia’s third prime minister and the first from the Labor Party. Born in Chile and raised in New Zealand, Watson began his career as a compositor before emigrating to Sydney. He became a key figure in the labour movement, helping to establish the Labor Electoral League and winning a seat in the New South Wales parliament at a young age.

In the first federal parliament, Watson led the Labor Party and briefly served as prime minister, becoming one of the first socialists to head a government in a parliamentary system. Although his term was short, his government demonstrated that Labor could govern capably. After politics, Watson turned to business, leading organisations like the NRMA and Ampol. This event offers a deep dive into the life of a trailblazing Australian leader.