He and his family immigrated to Australia in 1962, settling in Sydney where he attended Manly Boys' High School.
After the Coalition's defeat at the 1972 federal election he worked in the offices of Nigel Bowen, Bob Cotton and Peter Baume.
[2] He was appointed to a casual vacancy in the Senate in July 1978, representing the Liberal Party of Australia, but was defeated at the 1980 election, completing his term in June 1981.
[2] He was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) in 2001, for contributions to Australian politics and public policy, particularly in relation to human rights and social justice.
[6] Puplick resigned his Anti-Discrimination Board and Privacy Commission positions in 2003 following allegations of administrative favouritism involving a personal friend, and a deteriorating relationship with the New South Wales Government.