 He was president of the Liberal Federation from 1927 to 1930, and was the South Australian member of the Commonwealth Board of Trade from 1928.In 1929 was elected as a member of the Australian House of Representatives, representing the electorate of Wakefield for the United Australia Party.He was appointed Minister for Markets and Minister for Repatriation in first ministry of Prime Minister Joseph Lyons and was the youngest member of the ministry.