Watson – Australia 2013

ALP 9.1%

Incumbent MP
Tony Burke, since 2004, previously member of the NSW Legislative Council 2003-2004.

Geography
Inner west and south-western Sydney. Watson covers most of the Canterbury, Burwood and Strathfield local government areas and parts of Bankstown. Key suburbs include Canterbury, Campsie, Lakemba, Wiley Park, Punchbowl, Greenacre, Strathfield, Enfield and Burwood.

History
The Division of Watson is a recent creation, having been created in 1993 to replace the Division of St George. In its short history it has always been a safe Labor seat.

The seat was first won in 1993 by the ALP’s Leo McLeay. McLeay had previously held the neighbouring seat of Grayndler since 1979, and had served as Speaker of the House of Representatives from 1989 until shortly before the 1993 election, when he was forced to resign over allegations of a false compensation claim.

McLeay was reelected at the 1996, 1998 and 2001 elections before retiring at the 2004 election.

The seat was won in 2004 by the ALP’s Tony Burke, who had held a seat in the NSW Legislative Council since March 2003. He moved immediately to the Labor shadow ministry in 2004, and has served as a senior cabinet minister since 2007.

Candidates

• Ron Delezio (Liberal)
• Barbara Bloch (Greens)
• Stephen Rawson (Democratic Labour Party)
• John Nasser (Palmer United Party)
• Tony Burke (Labor)
• Paul Kamlade (Rise Up Australia)
• David Fraser (Christian Democratic Party)

Assessment
Watson was traditionally a safe Labor seat, before a 9% swing in 2010. Despite that swing, a 9.1% margin is still solid, and Burke should hold on.

2010 result

2010 two-candidate-preferred result

Booth breakdown
Booths have been divided into five areas. Polling places in the City of Canterbury have been split in two: Belmore-Canterbury in the east and Lakemba in the west. Polling places in the north have been divided along local government area boundaries. From east to west, these are Burwood, Strathfield and Greenacre (covering parts of the City of Bankstown).

The ALP won majorities in four areas, varying from 53.4% in Burwood to 66.8% in Lakemba. The Liberal Party won 58.9% in Strathfield. The Greens polled over 11% in Burwood, but polled between 8.5% and 9% in the other four areas.