Rupert (Dick) Hamer graduated in law at the University of Melbourne after attending Geelong Grammar School. He served in the Australian Army during World War 2, and in North Africa became one of the besieged 'Rats of Tobruk'.
After the war, Hamer practised law in his family firm and began his long and active membership of the Liberal Party. He also served as a member of the University of Melbourne's council. During most of the government of Henry Bolte (1955-72), Hamer was a member of the State upper house, the Legislative Council.
Hamer held a series of ministerial positions. As Bolte's obvious successor, he moved to the lower house, the Legislative Assembly, in 1971 and became Deputy Premier. The following year, he became Premier on Bolte's retirement.
Hamer's support for more progressive ideas contrasted with Bolte's social conservatism. Bolte had been a notorious supporter of capital punishment, but while Premier, Hamer successfully introduced a bill to abolish hanging. Unusually for a Premier, he introduced the bill as a private member, allowing MPs a conscience vote.
Hamer's government eased the restrictions on trading hours that had made central Melbourne deserted on Sundays, protected residential tenants, introduced anti-discrimination legislation, and decriminalised homosexuality. Until 1979, he was also Minister for the Arts, spearheading construction of the Arts Centre whose concert hall was named in his honour after his death.
Increasingly dogged by controversy over the dealings of some of its ministers, the government nearly lost the 1979 election. Hamer's support within his party ebbed away, and he resigned as Premier in 1981.
After retiring from Parliament, Hamer was as busy as ever. He was a member of the Constitutional Commission that reviewed Australia's constitution in 1985-88. He served on the boards of many community organisations, particularly those working in conservation and the arts, and supported the movement to make Australia a republic.
On Hamer's death in 2004, Barry Jones identified him with Victoria's 'Deakinite Liberal tradition', invoking the progressive liberal ideas represented by Alfred Deakin.
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