[4] In September 2004, Coulton was elected as the inaugural mayor of Gwydir Shire, a new local government area created from three smaller councils.

He had previously been the chairman of the party's electoral council for the Division of Gwydir, which was abolished and merged into Parkes.

[2] He endorsed Michael McCormack for the leadership of the National Party in February 2018, following the resignation of Barnaby Joyce.

[8] In March 2018, Coulton resigned as Deputy Speaker to take up the position of Assistant Minister for Trade, Tourism and Investment in the Turnbull government.

[11] In November 2020, Coulton stated in a parliamentary speech that Israel was engaged in "a level of apartheid" with regard to Palestinians.