He was the National Party member for Murray in the New South Wales Legislative Assembly from 1985 to 1999.
He became a bank clerk and then primary producer, and married Judith on 15 October 1955 (they had four children: two sons and two daughters).
He was elected without difficulty, defeating his only opponent, independent candidate Ray Brooks, with a 12.96% margin.
In the event, both Small and Broken Hill MP Bill Beckroge retired, and the seat was won by Labor.
[2] Small retired for a number of years on his property in Deniliquin and died aged 88 after health complications on 29 October 2021.