He was one of Australia's most distinguished public servants advising nine prime ministers across his career and even into old age was still committed to improvements to public policy.
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Sir Peter Lawler, who died in Canberra on Saturday aged 96, was active to the end, not least after losing his home in the 2003 firestorm and calling for better bushfire warning systems.
His funeral will be held in Canberra on Friday at St Christopher's Cathedral, the cortege expected to have a police escort in honour of his links to the establishment of the Australian Federal Police.
After Sir Robert Mark's report on the organisation of protective services in the wake of the 1978 Sydney Hilton bombing, the Fraser Government in late 1978 set up a small taskforce, headed by Peter Lawler, to implement the recommended creation of the AFP. He was then secretary of the Department of Administrative Services.
Sir Peter served in the Prime Minister's Department from the 1950s to the 1980s, becoming deputy secretary of the Prime Minister's Department in 1964. He wrote the 1966 Cabinet submission that led to the abolition of the White Australia policy.
He was awarded the Order of the British Empire in 1965 for his work as deputy secretary of the Prime Minister's Department. He was knighted the 1981 Queen's Birthday Honours for his contribution to the public service.
Sir Peter was ambassador to Ireland and Holy See from 1983 to 1986.
He lost his home on Eucumbene Drive in Duffy in the 2003 firestorm, then calling for better warning and evacuation procedures for residents.
The father of eight leaves his children as well as grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
His funeral will be at 2pm on Friday followed by a burial at the Woden cemetery.
