Pattison, who has been Mayor of Rockhampton, succeeded Archibald Archer in the representation of Blackall in 1886, was elected for Rockhampton in 1888, and was a minister without portfolio in the Thomas McIlwraith ministry from June to November 1888. On the reconstitution of the Ministry he was Colonial Treasurer under Boyd Dunlop Morehead from November 1888 to November 1889,[3] when he resigned the Treasurership. He was minister without portfolio till the retirement of the Morehead Government in August 1890.[2]