Hon Tony Burke MP
Member for Watson
Minister for Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities
Tony has lived in and around the Watson electorate all his life and completed his secondary education at Strathfield. He enjoys getting out and about in the electorate, particularly at local festivals which he says highlight the colour and community spirit of the Watson area.
Tony served as Member of the NSW Legislative Council before being elected to Federal Parliament in 2004 as the Federal Member for Watson. He was appointed directly to the front bench and served as Shadow Minister for Small Business and Shadow Minister for Immigration.
In 2007, Tony was appointed as Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry and then Minister for Sustainable Population in 2010. During his time as Minister he travelled more than 150,000 km across Australia, meeting people working on farms and in the fishing and forestry sectors.
Since his appointment in September 2010, Tony now is pleased to serve as the Minister for Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities in the Gillard Labor Government.
His achievements include the reform of drought assistance, reforming the nation’s bio-security system, abolishing the AWB’s single deck monopoly and overseeing nearly 50 trade market access wins in international markets. Tony was also responsible for many smaller community based projects including local Landcare projects, and employment and training programs for indigenous youth in the primary industries.
Tony is also a Canterbury Bulldogs fan and enjoys kayaking in local national parks.
For more information about Tony's current portfolio please click here.