In 1948 he started working in the federal secretariat of the Liberal Party and in 1949 he joined his family business, Fifes Produce Pty Ltd, in Wagga Wagga.

He married Marcia Hargreaves Stanley in May 1952 and they had two daughters and two sons.

[citation needed] The member for the federal seat of Farrer David Fairbairn had announced his resignation and Fife was pre-selected as the Liberal candidate for the next federal election.

His role in Opposition included a stint as Deputy Leader of the Opposition in the House of Representatives between May 1989 and April 1990, since Liberal deputy leader Fred Chaney was still a Senator.

[5] His departure came as a result of seat redistribution from which the National Party benefited and Fife was resentful to Liberal Leader John Hewson for not saving his career.