 He was also Minister Assisting the Minister for Education from August 1978 to December 1979 and Minister Assisting the Minister for National Development and Energy from December 1979 to November 1980.When Chaney retired in 1993, John Hewson had unexpectedly led the Coalition to defeat at that year's election and there is a perception that Chaney could have succeeded him as Liberal leader if he hadn't decided to retire.Chaney was appointed to the National Native Title Tribunal in 1994, initially on a part-time basis.