Newman was elected to the Fremantle Town Trust in 1866, and remained a member until his death.
[1] In February 1870, Newman was nominated to the council by the governor, Sir Frederick Weld, replacing Walter Bateman.
[2] His first period as a councillor lasted only until July of the same year, when a writ of election was issued.
[1] He died in office in late November 1872 (aged 40),[3] breaking his neck after being thrown from his horse near Mandurah.
[5] He had been married twice, firstly to Cora Matilda Conway (née Lamb) in 1854, with whom he had four children.