He was a member of the Australian Labor Party (ALP) and represented the Division of Wills in Victoria from 1955 to 1980.

He was called up for full-time duty in 1942 and was transferred to the Australian Imperial Force (AIF) in January 1943.

As Minister for Aboriginal Affairs, he was instrumental in the Whitlam government's historic land rights deal with Vincent Lingiari and the Gurindji people.

Bryant had earlier resisted pressure to retire early in order to expedite Hawke's entry to Parliament via a by-election.

He died in January 1991, eleven months prior to Hawke's ousting as Prime Minister.