This series consists of Foreign Affairs and Defence folders, binders and paper files maintained by Robert James Lee Hawke as Prime Minister of Australia.

The papers include correspondence, briefings, transcripts of conversations, background notes, press cuttings, cables (inward and outward) and reports. For the most part, the items in the series consist of photocopies of original material and facsimiles. The subjects are diverse, ranging from international incidents involving Australia and Australians, ambassadors, parliamentary matters and personnel, in addition to issues relating to the life of a Prime Minister, including visits, speeches, notes and messages to and from overseas heads of state and persons of importance.

Most of these records are in manilla folders and many of them have either a privacy marking such as 'Cabinet-in-Confidence' or a security classification.

Items 343 Part A to 352 were transferred into this series from CRS M5558, 'Miscellaneous uncontrolled records of Hon Robert James Lee (Bob) Hawke', in March 2020.