He was the Liberal Party member for Sutherland in the New South Wales Legislative Assembly from 1988 to 1997, and Minister for Sport, Recreation and Racing from 1993 to 1995.
[1] In 1980 Downy was the Liberal candidate for the safe federal Labor seat of Hughes; he was unsuccessful.
[2] Downy was appointed Minister for Sport, Recreation and Racing in 1993, but lost that position when Labor won office in 1995.
[1] He resigned his seat in 1997, prompting a by-election that was won by Liberal candidate Lorna Stone.
[3] In 2012 Downy was elected state president of the NSW Liberal Party, succeeding Arthur Sinodinos.