McColl was a strong supporter of Australian federation and won the House of Representatives seat of Echuca at the first federal election, in 1901 as a Protectionist.
At the 1906 election, he moved to the Senate, his term commencing on 1 January 1907.
He was the first person to have served in both houses of the federal parliament.

He was appointed Vice-President of the Executive Council in the Cook Ministry from June 1913 to September 1914.
He was defeated at the 1914 election.
McColl was a strong supporter of Australian federation and won the House of Representatives seat of Echuca at the first federal election, in 1901 as a Protectionist. At the 1906 election, he moved to the Senate, his term commencing on 1 January 1907. He was the first person to have served in both houses of the federal parliament.
He was appointed Vice-President of the Executive Council in the Cook Ministry from June 1913 to September 1914. He was defeated at the 1914 election.
James McColl (politician)