He joined the Australian Labor Party in 1909 and was its vice-president in 1913 and 1915 to 1916 and president from 1914 to 1915. He was expelled from the party for supporting conscription in 1916.
In 1909, he joined the Australian Labor Party and served as vice-president from 1913 to 1915, president from 1914 to 1915, before being ousted in 1916 due to his support for compulsory military service.