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
editAs 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
editWatt 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 *** 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
editIn 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.
- ^ "He refused to stand for Rosie Batty - now this MP might lose his seat". amp.theage.com.au. Retrieved 20 June 2024.
- ^ "Labor minister lashes Graham Watt over refusal to stand after Rosie Batty address". amp.theage.com.au. Retrieved 20 June 2024.
- ^ "Burwood - VIC Electorate, Candidates, Results". abc.net.au. Retrieved 20 June 2024.
- ^ "Melton (Key Seat) - VIC Electorate, Candidates, Results". abc.net.au. Retrieved 20 June 2024.
- ^ "House and home: Ex-MPs tie the knot". amp.theage.com.au. Retrieved 20 June 2024.