Born in Woolwich, New South Wales to metallurgist Basil William Turner and Mabel Lily, née Breillat, he attended Malvern School in Sydney, and then the University of Sydney and Cambridge University.

He married Mildred Mary Raymond at Mosman on 4 July 1931; they were to have three daughters and a son.

In 1937, he was elected to the New South Wales Legislative Assembly for the seat of Gordon, representing the United Australia Party.

In 1952, following the death of Billy Hughes, Turner successfully contested the resulting by-election for the federal seat of Bradfield.

He held the seat until his retirement in 1974; during that time he was often a delegate to overseas conventions, including the United Nations in 1963.