He was active in the executive of the National Party of Australia from 1979 and entered federal politics when he was elected to the House of Representatives in 1984.
He retired prior to general elections in 1998. in 1989, a private members bill was introduced by Cobb to make it an offence to desecrate, dishonour, burn, mutilate or destroy the Australian National Flag or an Australian Ensign, without lawful authority.
[1] In 1998, Cobb was convicted under sections 29D and 29B of the Commonwealth Crimes Act in relation to travel allowance and motor vehicle claims.
Cobb was fined $14,000 and given a suspended two-year sentence after being found guilty of fraud and five charges of imposing on the Commonwealth.
[3] Michael Cobb married the South Australian Liberal Party politician, Trish Worth.