John Arthur Watkins AM[1] (born 7 December 1955) is a former Deputy Premier of New South Wales, serving between 2005 until his resignation from Parliament in 2008.
[2] Watkins was an elected as a member of the New South Wales Legislative Assembly representing the electorates of Gladesville (between 1995 and 1999) and then Ryde (between 1999 and 2008) for the Labor Party.
During his parliamentary career, Watkins served in a range of ministerial portfolios including Fair Trading, Sport and Recreation, Police and Corrective Services, Transport, Finance, State Development, and Education and Training.
In 2006, whilst retaining Transport, Watkins unexpectedly returned to the Police portfolio following the abrupt sacking of Carl Scully.
He was announced as a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) in the 2015 Queens Birthday Honours List for his significant service to the community through leadership in health, education and to the Parliament of New South Wales.