He held ministerial office in the Fraser government as Minister for Construction (1975–1978) and Administrative Services (1978–1980).

McLeay was educated at Scotch College and volunteered for the second Australian Imperial Force in 1941 and served in New Guinea as a gunner from 1942 to 1943.

While visiting the latter in February 1970, he was interviewed on a Rhodesian Broadcasting Corporation television program, during which he controversially described Australia as "almost a Communist state" and praised Rhodesia as "much more advanced in some ways than we are".

[3] Prime Minister John Gorton subsequently stated that the government had no intentions of relaxing sanctions on Rhodesia.

[4] The interview increased McLeay's profile in Australia and his name became "a by-word for right-wing opinions" according to The Canberra Times.