Harold Edward (Hal) Porter (16 February 1911 — 29 September 1984) was an Australian novelist, playwright, poet and short-story writer.
Porter was born in Albert Park, Victoria, grew up in Bairnsdale, Victoria and worked as a journalist, teacher and librarian. A car accident just before the outbreak of war prevented him from serving in World War II. His first stories were published in 1942 and by the 1960s he was writing full time.