[1] Hart began his career in politics in 1858 when Abram Moriarty resigned from the seat of New England and Macleay in the colony's north.
He won the show of hands and was declared elected when neither candidate called for a poll.
[2] The seat was abolished in 1859, replaced by New England and Tenterfield, with Hart successfully contesting New England at the 1859 election, winning by a mere two votes, a result that was upheld by the Elections and Qualifications Committee.
[6] He did not recontest the 1869–70 election but Hart re-entered the parliament in 1870 after winning the Monara by-election caused by the death of Daniel Egan.
[1] Hart died in Illalong, New South Wales on 26 June 1873(1873-06-26) (aged 47–48).