From 1920 until 1929 Jones was an official with the
Australian Workers Union which helped launch his career in politics. In 1929 he won the seat of
Burke, He went on to hold the seat for 21 years and during that time he held five different titles. He was Secretary for Mines in 1942, Secretary for Public Instruction 1942–44, Secretary for Public Lands 1944–47, Secretary for Health and Home Affairs 1947–50 and Secretary for Labour and Industry 1950–57. When the
Labor Party split in 1957 Jones joined Premier Vince Gair in forming the
Queensland Labor Party. ==Personal life==