 Hazzard has previously served as the Minister for Planning and Infrastructure and the Minister Assisting the Premier on Infrastructure NSW in the O'Farrell government between 2011 and 2014; as the Attorney General of New South Wales and the Minister for Justice between 2014 and 2015 in the first Baird ministry; and as the Minister for Family and Community Services and the Minister for Social Housing between April 2015 and January 2017 in the second Baird government.Hazzard was educated at Manly Boys' High School (now Manly Selective Campus), Macquarie University where he gained a Bachelor of Arts (Science) and a Diploma of Education, the University of New South Wales where he graduated Bachelor of Laws, and the University of Sydney where he graduated Master of Laws.Hazzard was then employed as a science teacher (1974–1977) before being admitted as a solicitor in 1977.