Murray Watt
ALP Federal

Minister for the Environment and Water

Elected 2016

9 years

Senator for Queensland (QLD)

Federal - QLD

Murray was born in Brisbane, 1973. His parents were both school teachers and he attended Brisbane State High School.

Studying at the University of Queensland, Murray attained a Bachelor of Commerce and a Bachelor of Laws and graduated in 1996. He entered the law as a clerk at Blake Dawson Waldron Solicitors in 1997 before becoming an associate to a Federal Court Judge in 1999. He then worked as a solicitor at Maurice Blackburn Lawyers and Reidy and Tonkin until 2002. Murray was President ...

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Portfolios

  • Minister for the Environment and Water

Committees

  • Cabinet: Government Communications

Key Staff

  • Laura Manton

    Deputy Chief of Staff

    ****@****.gov.au

  • Michelle Healy

    Chief of Staff

    ****@****.gov.au

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First Speech in Parliament

13 September 2016

# Community Resilience # Education Access # Job Creation # Asylum Seeker Policy # Public Services # International Cooperation # Economic Transition # Social Justice # Union Support # Climate Change

Personal Background and Values

  • Murray Watt reflects on the transformative impact of the 2010-2011 Queensland floods, highlighting community spirit and collective action as central to his values.
  • His upbringing in a loving, supportive family shaped his beliefs in fairness, equality, and justice, influenced by his parents' educational achievements and the political discussions with his great-uncles.
  • He identifies as a Labor senator, committed to the core values of the party and the importance of community.

Policy Focus and Legislative Goals

  • Emphasizes the need for improved public services, particularly in education and healthcare, advocating for equal educational opportunities for all children.
  • Discusses the challenges of economic transition in Queensland post-mining boom, stressing the need for job creation and support for those facing unemployment.
  • Advocates for a humane approach to asylum seekers, calling for international cooperation to address broader challenges rather than divisive politics.

Community and Political Engagement

  • Acknowledges the contributions of past Labor senators and expresses intent to ensure Queensland has a strong voice in the Senate.
  • Calls for unity and collaboration across political divides to tackle inequality and build trust within communities, asserting that societal progress is achieved when working together.

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FAQ

Michelle Healy is Murray Watt's Chief of Staff.

Murray Watt represents the Senate seat of Queensland in the Australian Parliament.

Murray Watt is a member of the Australian Labor Party.

Latest Updates

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Media Releases

ACTION ON RED TAPE AND APPROVALS TO BUILD MORE HOMES, MORE QUICKLY

Media Release • 25 August

Housing and Homelessness Technology Housing & Homelessness

AI Summary

  • Albanese Government aims to reduce red tape in housing approvals to boost home construction.
  • Key reforms include pausing changes to the National Construction Code and fast-tracking assessment for over 26,000 homes under the EPBC Act.
  • Further measures to encourage superannuation investment and modern building methods are also in the pipeline.

CELEBRATING THE WORK OF INDIGENOUS RANGERS ON WORLD RANGER DAY

Media Release • 31 July

Indigenous Affairs Environment Indigenous Affairs - General

AI Summary

  • Recognition of Indigenous rangers' contributions to land and sea management on World Ranger Day.
  • Albanese Government aims to double the number of Indigenous rangers by 2030, creating 800 new jobs.
  • Over 1,000 Indigenous ranger jobs were created in 115 projects last year, including 770 for First Nations women.
  • Indigenous rangers blend traditional knowledge with modern conservation practices.
  • A photography competition invites Indigenous rangers to showcase their work and stories.

In Parliament

QUESTIONS WITHOUT NOTICE

Migration

Australian Federal Parliament • Senate • 1 September

Multicultural Affairs

AI Summary

  • Questions addressed migration policies and their impact.
  • Politicians raised concerns about the current state of migration.
  • Discussions included potential reforms and public sentiment on migration.

QUESTIONS WITHOUT NOTICE

Migration

Australian Federal Parliament • Senate • 1 September

AI Summary

  • The government faces questions regarding its migration policies and their impacts on community services.
  • Concerns have been raised about the adequacy of resources to support increased migration numbers.
  • Opposition members are challenging the government's approach to managing migration and its effects on local communities.

Social Media

Posted on Facebook • 4 September 2025

Australia’s rarest bird of prey is now the focus of a groundbreaking long-term national monitoring program to help conservation efforts. The endangered Red Goshawk is a solitary bird found across Northern Australia from the Kimberley to the Cape York Peninsula and on the Tiwi Islands. BirdLife Australia recently visited Melville Island to collect data in key habitat areas, with expert local knowledge from Tiwi Plantations Pty Ltd and Tiwi community members. The Albanese Government is supporting this project and other important projects like this through our Saving Native Species Program. 📷 Trade Creative Media
Open Post

Posted on Facebook • 2 September 2025

Health Funding Medicines

Labor's bill to make PBS medicines even cheaper - just $25 a script - has passed the Parliament.
Open Post

Posted on X • 1 September 2025

Today the Liberals and Nationals could have rejected the weekend’s anti-immigration rallies and condemned the neo-Nazis who hijacked them. Instead, they danced to One Nation’s tune.
Open Post

Posted on X • 31 August 2025

Better for our environment, better for business. By reforming our Federal environment laws, we can deliver a faster yes or no for housing and other project approvals, while better protecting our environment from unacceptable developments. Here’s just two examples.
Open Post

Posted on LinkedIn • 29 August 2025

The Coalition cut your penalty rates. Labor is protecting them.
Open Post

Posted on LinkedIn • 13 August 2025

Environment Conservation

I’m back in Adelaide today, for scientific briefings and another inspection of the harmful algal bloom impacting coastal waters. To build on the support we’re providing, I’ve tasked the Threatened Species Scientific Committee to urgently consider what impact the bloom has had on hundreds of species across the coast.
Open Post