Education
Born in Portuguese Macquarie, New South Wales to farmer William Binney and Sophia Selina Turnbull, he was educated at state schools.
Born in Portuguese Macquarie, New South Wales to farmer William Binney and Sophia Selina Turnbull, he was educated at state schools.
He then worked on a dairy farm before joining New South Wales Railways in 1925. He was an official of the Australian Federated Union of Locomotive Enginemen from 1930 to 1949, and was its president in 1948. He was active in local Labor Party politics, and was elected to the New South Wales Legislative Council in 1943.
He held that position until 1949, when he transferred to federal politics, defeating former New South Wales Premier Jack Language for the new seat of Blaxland.
He held the seat until his retirement in 1969. This marriage was dissolved on 6 July 1968.