 Gordon became Chief Secretary in the Kingston ministry in June 1893 but resigned on 15 February 1896.He was Attorney-General of South Australia in Holder's second ministry from December 1899 to May 1901 and from May 1901 to December 1903 in the Jenkins ministry.A strong federalist, he was a representative of South Australia at the 1891 convention, was elected fifth out of 33 candidates in 1897, and sat on the constitutional committee.