He was the Labor member for Arafura in the Northern Territory Legislative Assembly from 1987 until his death in 1992.
He returned to Bathurst Island in 1975, where he worked in various roles, including for the Nguiu Council, of which he would subsequently be elected president.
In recognition of his accomplishments and career promise, in 1988 he was selected to travel to the United States with young political leaders from other countries to study the U.S. national elections in November of that year.
Just before election day, all groups traveled to Washington, D.C. for series of presentations from leaders such as U.S. National Security Advisor Colin Powell, who would later become U.S. Secretary of State.
Tipiloura maintained his international outreach, sending Christmas cards to his new colleagues in 1988.