Will Fowles

Will Fowles
MP
Will Fowles MP in February 2021
Member of the Victorian Legislative Assembly
for Ringwood
Incumbent
Assumed office
26 November 2022
Preceded byDustin Halse
Member of the Victorian Legislative Assembly
for Burwood
In office
24 November 2018 – 26 November 2022
Preceded byGraham Watt
Succeeded bySeat abolished
Personal details
Born
William David Fowles

(1978-07-27) 27 July 1978
Fitzroy, Victoria, Australia
Political partyIndependent (since 2024)
Other political
affiliations		Labor (1999−2024)
Children4
Residence(s)Ringwood, Victoria, Australia
Alma materMonash University
CommitteesLegislative Assembly Environment and Planning Committee
Websitewww.willfowles.com.au

Will Fowles (born 27 July 1978) is an Australian politician in the Victorian Legislative Assembly.[1] He was first elected in November 2018, initially representing the seat of Burwood in Melbourne's eastern suburbs.[1] Ahead of the 2022 Victorian state election, the seat of Burwood was abolished by Victoria's Electoral Boundaries Commission, leading Fowles to stand for the seat of Ringwood.[2] He was elected as the Member for Ringwood in November 2022.[1]

Early life and education

Fowles grew up in the eastern suburbs of Melbourne.[3] He has three brothers.[4] His father is David Fowles, the chief executive and part owner of Fowles Auction Group.[3][5][6] His brother is Matt Fowles, chief executive and owner of Fowles Wines.[7][8][4] His brother Jack Fowles leads Fowles Entertainment, is the Manager of Major Giving at Arts Centre Melbourne, and is an Honorary Aide to the Governor of Victoria.[9][10]

Fowles attended Scotch College and Monash University.[11][3][12] In 2000, he was elected President of the Monash University Students' Association.[13][3]

Pre-parliamentary career

Fowles worked as a strategic communications consultant before running for Parliament.[1] He has run a hospitality and property investment business, and a fund management business.[3][11]

Fowles has also served on key sporting boards and committees. In 2005, he became the youngest ever member of the MCC Committee, ultimately being re-elected twice and serving nine years in that role.[14] Additionally, he was appointed as a Trustee of the Melbourne and Olympic Parks Trust in 2015, where he served until 2018.[15]

Political career

In 2002 Fowles stood as a candidate in the East Yarra by-election gaining an 8.8% swing to Labor, but failing narrowly to defeat Liberal MP Richard Dalla-Riva.[16] In 2008, Fowles ran for Lord Mayor of Melbourne and was defeated by Robert Doyle.[11][17]

Member for Burwood

At the 2018 Victorian state election, Fowles stood as the Labor candidate for the seat of Burwood, in Melbourne's east, challenging incumbent Liberal MP Graham Watt.[18] Fowles secured 53.3% of the two-party preferred result thanks to a strong 6.47% swing towards Labor, unseating Graham Watt and becoming only the second Labor MP to hold the traditionally Liberal seat once held by former Premier Jeff Kennett.[18][19] Fowles was sworn into office on 29 November 2018.

Fowles was appointed to the Legislative Assembly Environment and Planning Committee on 21 March 2019. Since then, the committee has held inquiries into climate change action, environmental infrastructure and apartment design standards.[20][21][22]

On 25 July 2019, Fowles was questioned by ACT Police in Canberra following an incident in which he had kicked in the door of a hotel room at the Abode Apartments in Kingston.[23] Fowles was not charged with any offence and apologised for his actions, saying that he had been suffering from addiction and other mental health issues and had been attempting to retrieve medication from his luggage which was locked in the room.[24] Fowles took a leave of absence to address his health issues and returned later in the year as an advocate for the government's investment in mental health as recommended by the Mental Health Royal Commission.[25][26]

Member for Ringwood

In October 2021, the Victorian Electoral Boundaries Commission released the Report on the Redivision of Victorian Electoral Boundaries 2020–2021, confirming that Fowles' seat of Burwood was to be abolished, and split between the existing seat of Box Hill and the new seat of Ashwood. This abolition resulted in Fowles standing for Ringwood electorate at the 2022 Victorian State Election, following the decision of incumbent Dustin Halse MP not to recontest. Fowles subsequently moved to Ringwood with his wife and their child, and won re-election at the 2022 Victorian state election with a 3% drop in first preference, but a 4.3% two party preferred swing in his favour.[27]

On 5 August 2023, Fowles resigned from the parliamentary Labor Party at the request of then-Premier Daniel Andrews following allegations of sexual assault of a government employee.[28][29] In January 2024, police announced the completion of their investigation and did not pursue criminal charges.[30] Jacinta Allan, who had since replaced Andrews as premier, declared that Fowles would not return to the Labor caucus.[31] Fowles formally resigned as a Labor member in August 2024.[32]

Policy positions

In his inaugural speech to Parliament following his election, Fowles spoke about the importance of addressing economic inequality and called for greater fairness in society. In particular, Fowles spoke about the need for more social housing, and the improved social mobility that stems from this.[33] In his speech, he expressed his support for the labour movement and the goal of an Australian Republic. In parliament, Fowles has spoken in favour of strong action on climate change,[34] improved healthcare services,[35] LGBTIQ+ rights,[36] women's rights[37] and investment in education and social housing.[38]

Personal life

Fowles married Fiona Clemens, when he was 24 years old.[3] He met Clemens in high school, and attended university with her.[3] Fowles and Clemens have a daughter named Molly.[3] After his marriage to Clemens, Fowles married Jessica Fox.[39]

Fowles is a strong advocate for mental health reform.[23] Fowles has openly discussed his struggles with depression and anxiety, which he was diagnosed with in 2006. “My focus is on … working hard on my mental health and being a better rep”.[40] He has since been a strong supporter of Victoria's Royal Commission into Mental Health, speaking in Parliament about his experiences with the mental health system after the final report was handed down in 2021.[41]

Fowles is a supporter of the Melbourne Demons and has been a member since 1996.[42]

References

  1. ^ a b c d "Mr Will Fowles". Parliament of Victoria. Retrieved 26 June 2025.
  2. ^ "Report on the Redivision of Victorian Electoral Boundaries 2020-2021" (PDF). Electoral Boundaries Commission of Victoria. October 2021. Archived (PDF) from the original on 12 July 2022. Retrieved 7 September 2022.
  3. ^ a b c d e f g h "What's Will Fowles' game?". The Age. 7 August 2005. Retrieved 26 June 2025.
  4. ^ a b Fowles, Will (19 December 2018). "First Speech". hansard.parliament.vic.gov.au. Archived from the original on 19 April 2025. Retrieved 26 June 2025.
  5. ^ "New or old, the marque makes the difference". Australian Financial Review. 19 June 2002. Retrieved 26 June 2025.
  6. ^ "Buying at Auction". Drive. Retrieved 26 June 2025.
  7. ^ "About Fowles Wine". FowlesDIY. Retrieved 26 June 2025.
  8. ^ "Trout, lobster, tuna, nothing: A typical catch for this winemaker". Australian Financial Review. 7 April 2024. Retrieved 26 June 2025.
  9. ^ "FOWLES ENTERTAINMENT". Fowles Entertainment. Retrieved 26 June 2025.
  10. ^ Taylor, Caroline (24 June 2025). "Where are they Now?". Old Scotch Collegians Association (OSCA). Retrieved 26 June 2025.
  11. ^ a b c Dowling, Jason (1 August 2008). "Young gun to vie for John So's job". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 26 June 2025.
  12. ^ "Monash Law turns 50". Monash University. 2 July 2014. Retrieved 26 June 2025.
  13. ^ "The newest MCC committee member". The Age. 19 July 2005. Retrieved 26 June 2025.
  14. ^ "Melbourne Cricket Club, 2013/14 Annual Report" (PDF). Sports Industry Australia. Archived (PDF) from the original on 7 December 2021. Retrieved 7 December 2021.
  15. ^ "Melbourne Olympic Parks Trust, 2016/17 Annual Report" (PDF). Victorian Government Library Service. Archived (PDF) from the original on 24 October 2021. Retrieved 7 December 2021.
  16. ^ "2002 Victorian State election - Report to Parliament". Victorian Government Library Service. May 2003. Archived from the original on 9 December 2021. Retrieved 7 December 2021.
  17. ^ Smethurst, Rachel Eddie, Annika (7 August 2023). "Exiled Labor MP under pressure to quit lucrative committee role". The Age. Retrieved 26 June 2025.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  18. ^ a b "Burwood - VIC Election 2018". ABC News. Archived from the original on 17 April 2024. Retrieved 13 April 2024.
  19. ^ "2018 State election results". www.vec.vic.gov.au. Archived from the original on 10 November 2023. Retrieved 7 December 2021.
  20. ^ "Inquiries". www.parliament.vic.gov.au. Archived from the original on 9 December 2021. Retrieved 7 December 2021.
  21. ^ "Environment and Planning". www.parliament.vic.gov.au. Archived from the original on 7 December 2021. Retrieved 7 December 2021.
  22. ^ "Environment and Planning". www.parliament.vic.gov.au. Archived from the original on 7 December 2021. Retrieved 7 December 2021.
  23. ^ a b Taylor, Josh (25 July 2019). "Victorian Labor MP Will Fowles questioned by police over Canberra hotel damage". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Archived from the original on 23 November 2023. Retrieved 24 October 2023.
  24. ^ Worthington, Brett; Willingham, Richard (25 July 2019). "'I made a very bad mistake': Labor MP apologises for Canberra hotel incident". ABC News. Archived from the original on 25 July 2019. Retrieved 26 July 2019.
  25. ^ Towell, Noel; Hutchinson, Samantha; Grieve, Charlotte (25 July 2019). "Door-kicking Andrews government MP on months of leave with full pay". The Age. Archived from the original on 10 August 2023. Retrieved 13 April 2024.
  26. ^ "Victorian Labor MP Will Fowles apologises for smashing hotel room after argument with staff". Retrieved 17 October 2023.
  27. ^ "Ringwood (Key Seat) - VIC Electorate, Candidates, Results". Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Archived from the original on 25 January 2023. Retrieved 25 January 2023.
  28. ^ Ore, Adeshola (6 August 2023). "Victorian Labor MP Will Fowles resigns from party but denies assault allegation". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 8 April 2024. Retrieved 11 April 2024.
  29. ^ "Statement from the Premier". www.premier.vic.gov.au. Archived from the original on 5 August 2023. Retrieved 5 August 2023.
  30. ^ Eli, Green (30 January 2024). "Police won't charge Victorian MP Will Fowles". News.com.au. Archived from the original on 30 January 2024. Retrieved 23 February 2024.
  31. ^ Carmody, Broede (31 January 2024). "Jacinta Allan says Fowles will never return to Labor caucus as long as she's premier". The Age. Archived from the original on 2 February 2024. Retrieved 13 April 2024.
  32. ^ Clarke, Mitch (30 October 2024). "Dumped Labor MP Will Fowles formally quits the party". Herald Sun. Archived from the original on 30 October 2024. Retrieved 30 October 2024.
  33. ^ "Governor's Speech - Address-in-Reply". Parliament of Victoria. 19 December 2018. Archived from the original on 7 December 2021. Retrieved 7 December 2021.
  34. ^ Fowles, Will (14 August 2021). "Climate Change". Parliament of Victoria. Archived from the original on 7 December 2021. Retrieved 7 December 2021.
  35. ^ Fowles, Will (16 September 2021). "ASSISTED REPRODUCTIVE TREATMENT AMENDMENT BILL 2021". Parliament of Victoria. Archived from the original on 7 December 2021. Retrieved 7 December 2021.
  36. ^ Fowles, Will (27 October 2021). "Change or Suppression (Conversion) Practices Prohibition Act 2021". Parliament of Victoria. Archived from the original on 7 December 2021. Retrieved 7 December 2021.
  37. ^ Fowles, Will (18 March 2021). "March 4 Justice". Parliament of Victoria. Archived from the original on 7 December 2021. Retrieved 7 December 2021.
  38. ^ Parliament of Victoria. "Meet Will". Parliament of Victoria. Archived from the original on 21 March 2024. Retrieved 13 April 2024.
  39. ^ "Door-kicking Vic MP says anxiety no excuse - 9News". www.9news.com.au. 11 October 2019. Retrieved 26 June 2025.
  40. ^ "Victorian MP Will Fowles admits he made a 'gargantuan mistake', but won't reveal details of his addiction". 3AW. 10 October 2019. Archived from the original on 7 December 2021. Retrieved 7 December 2021.
  41. ^ Fowles, Will (4 March 2021). "Royal Commission into Victoria's Mental Health System". Parliament of Victoria. Archived from the original on 7 December 2021. Retrieved 7 December 2021.
  42. ^ Fowles, Will (5 October 2021). "Water and Catchment Legislation Amendment Bill 2021 - Second Reading". Parliament of Victoria. Archived from the original on 7 December 2021. Retrieved 7 December 2021.
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