Will Fowles

Will Fowles (born 27 July 1978) is an Australian politician in the Victorian Legislative Assembly, representing the division of Ringwood.

Fowles was first elected in November 2018, initially representing the seat of Burwood in Melbourne's eastern suburbs for the Victorian Labor Party. 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. He was elected as the Member for Ringwood in November 2022. After allegations of sexual assault of a government employee were published, Fowles resigned from the Labor caucus in August 2023 before resigning as a Labor member in August 2024. He has since sat as an independent.

Fowles grew up in the eastern suburbs of Melbourne. He has three brothers. His father is David Fowles, the chief executive and part owner of Fowles Auction Group. His brother is Matt Fowles, chief executive and owner of Fowles Wines. 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.

Fowles attended Scotch College and Monash University. In 2000, he was elected President of the Monash University Students' Association.

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

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. Additionally, he was appointed as a Trustee of the Melbourne and Olympic Parks Trust in 2015, where he served until 2018.

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. In 2008, Fowles ran for Lord Mayor of Melbourne and was defeated by Robert Doyle.

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. 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. Fowles was sworn into office on 29 November 2018.^{[citation needed]}