Career
Ashton received a Master of Arts and Diploma of Education from the University of Sydney and taught at schools in southwestern Sydney. He was a councillor on the City of Bankstown from 1977 to 1987 and 1987 to 1995. Ashton has represented East Hills from 1999, for the Australian Labor Party, and was Deputy Government Whip from 2003
He stated that privatisation would be "the Iemma Government"s WorkChoices".
He also warned of resulting swings to the Australian Greens in inner-city seats.
Ashton is a long-time resident of the East Hills electorate. His interests include politics, sport, history, education and the Health system.
Ashton was defeated by Liberal candidate Glenn Brookes by a mere 494 votes at the 2011 state election. This was the first time Labor had lost the seat since its creation in 1953.