Graham Travis Watt (born 18 August 1976) is an Australian politician. He was a member of the Victorian Legislative Assembly from 2010 to 2018, representing the seat of Burwood.[1] He is a member of the Liberal Party.
Graham Watt | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Member of the Victorian Legislative Assembly for Burwood | |
| In office 27 November 2010 – 24 November 2018 | |
| Preceded by | Bob Stensholt |
| Succeeded by | Will Fowles |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 18 August 1976 Norseman, Western Australia |
| Political party | Liberal Party |
| Spouse | Rachel Carling-Jenkins |
| Parent | Graham Jack Watt Yvonne Karen Watt |
| Alma mater | Edith Cowan University |
| Website | grahamwatt.com.au |
Early life edit
As a child, Watt was a represented his state in athletics. In 2004, he walked a hundred miles in 24 hours, to become an Australian centurion, something achieved by only 48 people on Australian soil, at that time.[2]
Watt graduated from Edith Cowan University, obtaining a Bachelor of Business, and majoring in Finance and Economics.
Before election to parliament he worked variously as the owner of a mobile phone retail store and a carpet cleaning business.
Political career edit
Watt ran for the Liberal Party in 2002 and 2006 in the electoral district of Northcote, losing to Mary Delahunty in 2002[3] and Fiona Richardson in 2006.[4]
In 2009 he was preselected as the Liberal candidate for the electorate of Burwood, which he won at the 2010 Victorian election, defeating the sitting Labor member Bob Stensholt.[5]
He was re-elected in the 2014 Victorian election with 50.1% of the primary vote and 53.17% of the 2 candidate preferred vote.
In 2015, Watt was criticised for being the only member of the Victorian Parliament to not stand to applaud domestic violence campaigner Rosie Batty when she addressed the parliament in an historic joint sitting.[6][7]
Watt was subsequently defeated in the 2018 Victorian state election.[8]
In 2022, Watt ran as a Liberal candidate again, this time in Melton, but was unsuccessful.[9]
Personal life edit
In 2021, Watt married former DLP Member of Parliament Rachel Carling.[10]
References edit
- ^ "Watt, Graham". re-member. Parliament of Victoria. Retrieved 19 December 2011.
- ^ "Australian Centurions - Graham Watt" (PDF). centurions.org.au.
- ^ "State Election 2002: Northcote District Two Candidate Preferred Results by Voting Centre - Victorian Electoral Commission". Archived from the original on 31 July 2018. Retrieved 31 July 2018.
- ^ "State Election 2006: Northcote District results summary - Victorian Electoral Commission". Archived from the original on 31 July 2018. Retrieved 31 July 2018.
- ^ "STATE ELECTION: Burwood back in Liberal hands". Archived from the original on 8 October 2011. Retrieved 19 December 2011.
- ^ https://amp.theage.com.au/national/victoria/he-refused-to-stand-for-rosie-batty--now-this-mp-might--lose-his-seat-20161205-gt4e8s.html
- ^ https://amp.theage.com.au/national/victoria/labor-minister-lashes-graham-watt-over-refusal-to-stand-after-rosie-batty-address-20151127-gl9hhg.html
- ^ https://www.abc.net.au/news/elections/vic/2018/guide/burw
- ^ https://www.abc.net.au/news/elections/vic/2022/guide/melt
- ^ https://amp.theage.com.au/national/house-and-home-ex-mps-tie-the-knot-20211024-p592pp.html