He was born in Kalgoorlie, Western Australia, and voluntarily joined the Australian Army for service in the Vietnam War in 1968.

[2] After leaving the Army he joined the Department of Defence as an officer with the Vietnam Veterans' Counselling Service.

Following the defeat of the Labor government of Carmen Lawrence in 1993, he was Leader of the Opposition in the Legislative Council and Shadow Minister for Tourism and Fisheries 1993–94.

At the time he was Western Australia's Minister for police, emergency services, and sport and recreation.

On 1 January 2001, Edwards was awarded the Australian Sports Medal for "service as vice president of the APF from 1990 to 1993".