He became involved with the Queensland Typographical Association and Printing Industry Employees' Union and served as its secretary from 1903 until 1939.
[1] At the 1902 Queensland state election, Colborne, was the Labour candidate for the seat of Toombul but was defeated by the sitting member, Andrew Petrie.
After a failed referendum in May 1917,[4] Premier Ryan tried a new tactic, and later that year advised the Governor, Sir Hamilton John Goold-Adams, to appoint thirteen new members whose allegiance lay with Labour to the council.
[5] The council, however, continued to reject the government's money bills and in 1918 Ryan advised Goold-Adams to appoint additional Labour members, but this time he refused the request.
[1] William and Kathleen's son, Colin Colborne served as a Labor member of the New South Wales Legislative Council.