Cowley was a member of the
Hinchinbrook Divisional Board and was its chairman from 1883 to 1886. Cowley was elected to the
Queensland Legislative Assembly in the
electoral district of Herbert on 12 May 1888, and on the formation of the
Griffith–
McIlwraith Government in August 1890 was appointed Secretary for Public Lands and Agriculture, and sworn of the Executive Council. He served as
Speaker from 1893 to 1899 and from 1903 to 1907. He was knighted in 1904. His parliamentary service ended on 18 May 1907 when he was defeated in the
1907 election. ==Later life==