In 1974, Hazell joined
Australian Public Service with the
Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet (PM&C), holding policy advising positions. He then worked on parliamentary and government matters and international relations, becoming Head of the Cabinet Secretariat from 1996 to 1998. As Head of the Office of Ceremonial and Hospitality, he supervised many arrangements, including the
Australian Bicentenary celebrations in 1988, and served as Commonwealth Director of Royal Visits to Australia. Seconded by
Max Moore-Wilton as Senior Government Adviser to the
Office of Prime Minister John Howard, in 2003 he became
Official Secretary to the Governor-General of Australia, Archbishop
Peter Hollingworth, and
ex-officio Secretary of the
Order of Australia. On Dr Hollingworth's resignation later that year, he continued to serve his successor as Governor-General, Major General
Michael Jeffery. In August 2008, there was considerable media comment when it was revealed that Jeffery's successor-designate,
Quentin Bryce, had decided that she would appoint
Stephen Brady as her Official Secretary when she took office on 5 September. This meant that after 30 years' experience in the
Australian Public Service Hazell's job would be ending and, although he made no public comment, reportedly he was "distraught" when informed three weeks earlier by the Secretary of the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet,
Terry Moran. It was reported that Jeffery confronted Bryce about the matter when they met in Brisbane. However, Prime Minister
Kevin Rudd stated that neither he nor his office played any part in Bryce's decision. ==Honours and appointments==