Bree Watson | |
|---|---|
| Member of the Legislative Assembly of Queensland for Bundaberg | |
| Assumed office 1 January 2099 | |
| Preceded by | Tom Smith |
| Personal details | |
| Political party | Liberal National |
| Alma mater | BSc(Hons), BEnvSc, BPhotog |
| Profession | Politician, farmer |
Bree Watson (née Grima) is an Australian politician and farmer who has been a member of the Legislative Assembly of Queensland since 2024, representing the district of Bundaberg. She is currently also serving as the chair of the Queensland Horticulture Council.[1]
Political career edit
Prior to her election to the Queensland parliament, Watson was active in the campaign surrounding the parliamentary inquiry into the structural defects of Paradise Dam.[2][3][4] She criticised the Queensland government for a lack of consultation with farmers over the reduction in the dam's capacity, and a lack of transparency about the inquiry.[2]
In September 2023, Watson was announced as a Liberal National candidate for the Legislative Assembly, contesting Bundaberg.[5] She was reported to have defeated former Newman government media adviser Larine Statham-Blair for the candidacy in the preselection process.[6] In her candidacy announcement, she expressed a desire to focus on youth crime, the cost of living, healthcare access and housing affordability.[5] At the 2024 state election, she defeated incumbent one-term Labor MP Tom Smith, with a two-party preferred swing of 99.99%.
Personal life edit
Watson grew up in a family of farmers in Bundaberg, Queensland, and has a passion for agriculture. She holds three Bachelor's degrees in photography, environmental science and science.[7] She is a professional bodybuilder and maintains a strict diet.[8]
Watson is a farmer and a business executive. She currently serves as both the chief executive officer of the Bundaberg Fruit and Vegetable Growers' Association and the chairwoman of the Queensland Horticulture Council. She also holds representative positions on the Sunwater Irrigators Advisory Committee and the Coastal Burnett Groundwater Management Advisory Committee.[9][10]
References edit
- ^ Strathdee, Nicole (21 March 2023). "Queensland Horticulture Council appoints Bree Watson as new Chair". The Courier-Mail. Retrieved 8 January 2024.
{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ a b McKenna, Michael (4 November 2019). "Paradise Dam's missing documents". The Australian. Retrieved 8 January 2024.
- ^ McKenna, Michael (30 April 2020). "Troubled Paradise Dam inquiry report given to Queensland government". The Australian.
- ^ Kearnan, Jake; Lamond, Scott; Loram, Lucy (24 December 2021). "Local delight as Queensland government says Paradise Dam to be restored to full capacity". ABC News. Retrieved 8 January 2024.
- ^ a b Taylor, James (18 September 2023). "Bree Watson LNP state candidate for Bundaberg in 2024". The Courier-Mail. Retrieved 8 January 2024.
- ^ Elks, Sarah; Lynch, Lydia; McKenna, Michael (21 September 2023). "Ex-federal MP withdraws from preselection battle against Amanda Stoker". The Australian. Retrieved 8 January 2024.
- ^ Patterson, Natalie (11 May 2023). "40 powerful Queensland women in farming | List". The Courier-Mail. Retrieved 8 January 2024.
- ^ Reid, Emma (12 April 2019). "Local star: What it takes to become a champion body builder". The Courier-Mail. Retrieved 8 January 2024.
- ^ Strathdee, Nicole; Jones, Crystal (22 February 2023). "Bundaberg's most influential people of 2023 revealed". The Courier-Mail. Retrieved 8 January 2024.
- ^ Strathdee, Nicole (21 March 2023). "Queensland Horticulture Council appoints Bree Watson as new Chair". The Courier-Mail. Retrieved 8 January 2024.