This series consists of folders of speeches, conference addresses, radio broadcasts and articles for newspapers, journals and other publications. The folders were maintained by Harold Edward Holt as Minister for Immigration (1949-56), Minister for Labour and National Service (1949-58) and, particularly, as Treasurer (1958-65). A few items include papers presented by Holt in his capacity as Chairman of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association and, later, the International Monetary Fund and International Bank for Reconstruction and Development. Consequently, the pre-1960 papers mainly relate to Australian immigration and employment while the later ones are more concerned with the economic situation and various financial issues.

The speeches and addresses were given to a wide range of professional bodies, business organisations, citizenship conventions, the Australian-American Association and other community groups. Holt was also approached on many occasions to contribute forewords and more substantial articles to Australian and overseas newspapers, journals and books, including The American Banker, The Good Neighbour and The Australasian Manufacturer. Individual folders often include several copies of a speech or reprint of an article and some correspondence.

The series is mainly arranged in chronological order. The folders relating to Holt's period as Treasurer appear to have originally had their own numerical sequence. The whole series is now controlled by a single number system imposed by National Archives.