In 1880 he was elected to the New South Wales Legislative Assembly as the member for Boorowa. He served in the Assembly until 1895, during which time he became associated with the Protectionist Party. He was twice Minister of Justice (1885, 1889), and also served as from 1891 to 1894. In 1900 he was appointed to the New South Wales Legislative Council, where he remained until 1905.
