See also: Watson government.
| Cabinet Name: | Watson ministry |
| Cabinet Type: | Ministry |
| Cabinet Number: | 3rd |
| Jurisdiction: | Australia |
| Flag: | Flag of Australia (1903–1908).svg |
| Flag Border: | true |
| Date Formed: | 27 April 1904 |
| Date Dissolved: | 17 August 1904 |
| Government Head: | Chris Watson |
| State Head: | Edward VII |
| Governor General: | Lord Northcote |
| Members Number: | 8 |
| Political Party: | Labour |
| Legislature Status: | Minority government (Protectionist support) |
| Opposition Party: | Free Trade |
| Opposition Leader: | George Reid |
| Legislature Term: | 2nd |
| Predecessor: | First Deakin ministry |
| Successor: | Reid ministry |
| State Head Title: | Monarch |
| Government Head Title: | Prime Minister |
The Watson ministry (Labour) was the 3rd ministry of the Government of Australia, and the first national Labour government formed in the world. It was led by the country's 3rd Prime Minister, Chris Watson. The Watson ministry succeeded the First Deakin ministry, which dissolved on 27 April 1904 after Labour withdrew their support and Alfred Deakin was forced to resign. The ministry was replaced by the Reid ministry on 17 August 1904 after the Protectionist Party withdrew their support over the Conciliation and Arbitration Bill.[1]
Billy Hughes, who died in 1952, was the last surviving member of the Watson ministry; Hughes was also the last surviving member of the First Fisher ministry, Third Fisher ministry, Second Hughes ministry and Third Hughes ministry.
| Party | Minister | Portrait | Portfolio | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Labor | Hon Chris Watson for Bland |
| |||
| Hon Billy Hughes for West Sydney | |||||
| Protectionist | Hon H. B. Higgins for Northern Melbourne | ||||
| Labor | Hon Lee Batchelor for Boothby | ||||
| Hon Andrew Fisher for Wide Bay |
| ||||
| Hon Anderson Dawson Senator for Queensland | |||||
| Hon Hugh Mahon for Coolgardie | |||||
| Hon Gregor McGregor Senator for South Australia |
| ||||