[1][2][3][4][5][6] Watkins was elected to the House of Representatives at a 1935 by-election for the seat of Newcastle following the death of his father.

He defeated Lang Labor candidate and former state MP James Smith by over 2,000 votes.

[8][5] In 1940, at the age of 44, Watkins enlisted for service in World War II with the Royal Australian Air Force, seeking to be engaged in administrative work at home or overseas.

[2][9] In 1943, he led an Australian delegation to Great Britain and Canada at the invitation of the Empire Parliamentary Association.

[8][10] He held the seat until his retirement due to ill health in 1958 following several months of sick leave.