Watkins' death left former Prime Minister Billy Hughes as the only remaining member of the First Parliament still in the House.

Later, in 1899, after a dispute about tariffs and the introduction of an old-age pension, the protectionist Watkins played a critical role in convincing Labor to bring down the Reid government and install William Lyne as Premier.

In 1900, while a serving state MP, he was elected president of the Australian Labour Federation, in which capacity he was involved in settling several industrial disputes.

[9] In 1902–04, Watkins was a member of the Royal Commission on the Bonuses for Manufactures Bill, which investigated the practicality of beginning iron works in Australia and possible industry incentives.

In 1916, he was chairman of the Australian section of the Empire War Delegation that visited England along with representatives of other Commonwealth dominions, and toured the Western Front.

[13] His second son, David Oliver Watkins, stood for his seat in parliament at the resulting by-election, which he won on a reduced margin and held for 23 years.