Sir Paul Hasluck died in January 1993 at the age of eighty-seven. Throughout his career - as journalist, historian, academic, author, poet, public servant, diplomat, parliamentarian, Minister of the Crown, contender for the prime ministership, and Governor-General - he maintained a clear and consistent set of principles and a strong sense of public duty. Because of this, he did not fit the contemporary mould of a politician.

Hasluck joined the Department of External Affairs in 1941, becoming one of Dr Herbert Vere Evatt's principal advisers and eventually being made Australia's first representative at the United Nations in New York. After a breach with Evatt over a matter of principle, Hasluck resigned from the department, and in 1949 was elected to Federal parliament.

Hasluck's ministerial responsibilities included Territories, encompassing Papua and New Guinea, the Northern Territory and Aboriginal policy; Defence; and External Affairs. As a Minister, Hasluck was a hard task-master. He demanded action and he did not suffer fools lightly.

As a parliamentarian, Hasluck held a higher view of parliamentary representation than the narrow quest for winning elections. He had the opportunity to gain the prime ministership in 1968, but his dislike of self-promotion cost him this prize. Between 1969 and 1974 Hasluck held the office of Governor-General. He approached the vice-regal task with dedication and vigour, convinced that the office was not merely one of 'rubber stamp' but carried the responsibility to counsel, warn and advise.

In tracing this remarkable career, Robert Porter highlights Hasluck's prodigious, almost legendary, capacity for hard work; his strong intellectual capability and penetrating and enquiring mind; his clear understanding of the definition of the roles and responsibilities of each area of government; his strong and enduring sense of duty; and his commitment to serving his country's interests in a selfless and dedicated manner.

Paul Hasluck: A Political Biography is a thoroughly researched and well-crafted study of one of Australia's most important, yet underrated, post-war political figures.