 He was formerly a member of the Legislative Council of British East Africa, and in 1933 became the representative for North Adelaide in the South Australian House of Assembly.Newland was born at Marra station, near Wilcannia, New South Wales, the third son of Simpson Newland (1835–1925) and his wife Jane Isabella Newland, née Layton (c. 1850 – 11 January 1939).He was educated at Queen's School, North Adelaide, and St. Peter's College.