He was a cabinet minister in the government of New Democratic Premier Edward Schreyer, and was subsequently a founding member of the Progressive Party of Manitoba.
Hanuschak was elected to the Manitoba legislature in 1966, defeating Liberal incumbent Mark Smerchanski in the north Winnipeg riding of Burrows.
In 1968, he was the only member of the party's parliamentary caucus to support Sidney Green's leadership bid.
Edward Schreyer became provincial NDP leader in 1969, and won the subsequent election for the party.
It opposed the NDP's proposed anti-scab legislation, for instance, and was against "distinct status" recognition for minority groups.