Murray Watt — Senator (Queensland)
At a glance
| Tracker status | Previous on export file — Agriculture minister Jun 2022 – Jul 2024; now Environment and Water (from May 2025) |
| Export role (historical) | Agriculture during China ban years (lobster, partial meat plants); announced live sheep export end 1 May 2028 in Perth (11 May 2024) |
| State | Queensland (Senate, term to Jun 2028) |
| Key outcome (verified) | $107m sheep transition package; legislation for 2028 sheep ban (DAFF) |
- Oct/Dec 2024 lobster resumption ministerial quotes are Julie Collins — Watt had left agriculture.
- QLD senator announcing policy with WA impact — central to state tension on live sheep.
Quick facts
- Party / faction: ALP / Right (Queensland)
- Current portfolio: Environment and Water (from 13 May 2025); was Employment and Workplace Relations (Jul 2024 – May 2025)
- Former (tracker): Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry; Emergency Management (1 Jun 2022 – 29 Jul 2024)
- Background: Lawyer; adviser to Beattie/Bligh QLD governments; QLD senator from 2016
Export & agriculture role (tracker)
| Issue | Role | Period | Link |
|---|---|---|---|
| Live sheep by sea | Announced 2028 end; $107m→$139.7m package | May 2024 | Meat |
| Rock lobster | Agriculture during ban; no PM-level resumption on his watch | 2022–Jul 2024 | Crustacean |
| China meat plants | Thaw period under his agriculture tenure | 2022–2024 | Meat |
| Emergency management | Concurrent portfolio (floods, etc.) | 2022–2024 | Outside tracker |
Portfolio & career
| Period | Position |
|---|---|
| 2025– | Environment and Water |
| 2024–2025 | Employment and Workplace Relations |
| 2022–2024 | Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry; Emergency Management |
| 2016– | Senator for Queensland |
Allies & rivals
- Key allies: Albanese (election commitment on sheep); animal welfare NGOs
- Known rivals: David Littleproud; WA Cook; Roger Cook sought more transition $; WA Opposition Shane Love
Chronology (export-related)
| Date | Event | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2024-05-11 | Live sheep 2028 phase-out announced (Perth) | Verified — ABC |
| 2024-07-29 | Left Agriculture | Collins succeeded |
| 2022-06–2024-07 | Agriculture minister | Ban + partial China restorations |
| 2022-06-01 | Sworn Agriculture + Emergency Management | Verified |