In recent years he has been known for his ongoing lobbying to keep feral horses (known as brumbies in Australia) within the Kosciusko National Park.
Commissioned as a Justice of the Peace, he farmed near Adaminaby after leaving the armed forces and became involved in the National Party.
Cochran defeated sitting member John Akister and also warded off an attempt by the Liberal Party to win the seat.
He was known for opposing the creation of new national parks and backing the four-wheel drive lobby to access existing ones.
[4] Cochran also claimed to have helped create the legislation, causing controversy due to his business having a vested interest in keeping feral horses within the Kosciuscko National Park.