He served as a Senator for Victoria from 1904 to 1917 and from 1923 to 1929, representing the Australian Labor Party (ALP).

In 1896, he helped establish the Toscin, a radical union weekly, which continued in publication until 1906.

[1] Findley was elected as an Australian Labor Party member for the Victorian Legislative Assembly seat of Melbourne in 1900, but was expelled from parliament on 25 June 1901 for seditious libel because, as editor of the Toscin, he was held responsible for republishing an article from the Dublin Irish People which was critical of King Edward VII.

He was not successful, after the number of Liberal candidates opposing him was reduced to avoid vote splitting.

He died in his home in the Melbourne suburb of Caulfield, survived by his wife and one of his two daughters.