About Us: Rana

Rana lives in Runaway Bay with his wife Linda and daughter Nina.

Rana Watson - A Fresh Voice for Fadden

Rana Watson, wife Linda, daughter Nina and extended family Tony and Margaret are long term residents of Gold Coast City. Rana has lived in the city since 1980, completing his secondary schooling at Miami State High School. Rana and his family live within Fadden at Runaway Bay.

Rana knows what it is like to work long and difficult hours, change jobs and to work hard protecting working conditions. He is passionate about looking after his fellow workers and engaging with good businesses and good employers to maximise employment, innovation and economic outcomes in our fine country.

Rana has worked in a range of jobs, including casual furniture removalist, metal worker, deckhand on a Gold Coast commercial fishing boat, silver service waiter, croupier and Casino floor manager. Having worked in casual positions with frequently rotating shifts, Rana has a real understanding of the issues facing Hospitality workers and other shift workers.

During the 1990's Rana became involved in the struggle to improve wages and conditions in his workplace. He was very active in the three campaigns that culminated in workers establishing a collective agreement that provides ongoing benefits today. This workplace involvement led to the position he occupies with the Liquor, Hospitality and Miscellaneous Workers Union (LHMU) today.

Rana is bitterly opposed to the loss of workplace democracy and rights which the Howard government has imposed on Australian workplaces. Rana is, like many parents, concerned about the future of workplaces for his daughter's generation and their children. Rana believes that a fair go and a good economy are not mutually exclusive.

Beyond work, Rana is a committed family man who loves fishing, fly-fishing, boating and more fishing. Rana is a member of the Paradise Point Progress Association, including their Melbourne Cup Organising Committee 2007. Rana has been involved in other community groups during his time on the Gold Coat.

Rana's passion for fair workplace laws led him to nominate for the Labor Party in the Federal seat of Fadden. Rana has always strongly supported social justice issues and has concerns about casualisation of the workforce, low housing affordability and the social consequences of workplace pressures on families and our broader society.

Addressing these issues is not the agenda of the Howard Government. It is time for a Rudd Labor Government with fresh thinking and fresh policies. It is time for a positive change in the direction of our country. Rana Watson is just the person to bring about that positive change from here in Fadden.

Please Note – Listing of any group here indicates Rana Watson's current/former association with that body – in either a volunteer or professional capacity. It should not be construed in any way as forming an endorsement by that group of Rana Watson, the Australian Labor Party (ALP) or of any other candidate, party leader or political party.