MEDIA RELEASE
Outstanding political leadership to be acknowledged by some of Australia’s most distinguished leaders
30 January 2023 – The McKinnon Prize in Political Leadership has announced the Selection Panel for the 2022 McKinnon Prize, comprising some of Australia’s most distinguished leaders who will next month determine two outstanding political leaders as recipients of the McKinnon Prize for 2022.
Former prime minister The Hon Julia Gillard AC and former New South Wales premier The Hon Mike Baird AO have also been announced as inaugural Patrons of the McKinnon Prize.
The McKinnon Prize acknowledges and encourages current and future politicians to deliver positive impact through outstanding leadership, and each year recognises the McKinnon Political Leader of the Year and the McKinnon Emerging Political Leader of the Year.
Since its inaugural award in 2017, the McKinnon Prize has recognised examples of positive leadership demonstrated across the political spectrum.
The McKinnon Prize recognises vision, courage, ethical behaviour, collaboration and, vitally, the positive impact leaders have on Australia.
Most recently the achievements of The Hon Tony Smith and Councillor Teresa Harding, and previously Senator the Hon Penny Wong and The Hon Dr Anne Aly MP, have been acknowledged.
The members of the 2022 Shortlisting Committee and Selection Panel represent the political, government, media, non-profit and corporate sectors, ensuring a range of expertise and perspectives inform the rigorous two-stage deliberation process.
The McKinnon Prize Shortlisting Committee and Selection Panel evaluate the demonstrations and impact of good political leadership throughout 2022 against established criteria, and recognise the work of two Australian elected representatives, be they emerging or well-established leaders in the political sphere.
The 2022 McKinnon Prize Shortlisting Committee will be chaired by Danielle Wood, CEO of the Grattan Institute, and includes:
- Phillip Coorey, political editor for the Australian Financial Review
- James Copsey, Partner at KPMG Australia
- David Cross, CEO of the Blueprint Institute
- Patricia Karvelas, current affairs journalist and radio presenter at the ABC
- Ben Oquist, Director Climate and ESG at DPG Advisory Solutions
- Michael Perusco, CEO of Berry Street
- Nicholas Reece, Principal Fellow at the Melbourne School of Government
- John Scales, Founder of JWS Research
- Innes Willox AM, Chief Executive of the Australian Industry Group.
The 2022 Selection Panel is chaired by Catherine Livingstone AO FAA FTSE, business person and Chancellor of the University of Technology Sydney, and includes:
- The Hon John Brumby AO, former premier of Victoria
- Professor Tom Calma AO, Chancellor of the University of Canberra and Kungarakan Elder
- Peta Credlin AO, political commentator at Sky News Australia
- Caitlin Figueiredo, Co-Chair of the Australian Youth Affairs Coalition and Founder and CEO of Jasiri Australia
- Dr Alan Finkel AC, former chief scientist of Australia
- The Hon Kelly O’Dwyer, former Cabinet Minister and member of the Australian Parliament
- Dr Martin Parkinson AC PSM, Chancellor of Macquarie University and former senior public servant
- Annika Smethurst, state political editor for The Age
- Doug Taylor, CEO of The Smith Family
- Professor Michael Wesley, Deputy Vice-Chancellor International at the University of Melbourne.
Long-time panel members and supporters of the McKinnon Prize, former prime minister The Hon Julia Gillard AC and former New South Wales premier The Hon Mike Baird AO, take on new roles in 2023 as inaugural Patrons of the McKinnon Prize.
The Hon Julia Gillard AC, former selection panellist and current Patron of the McKinnon Prize, said: “The McKinnon Prize Selection Panel will be looking for positive impact through vision, collaboration, ethical behaviour and courage across all levels of government.”
“From my point of view, ethical behaviour is particularly important. If we want young people to look up to our leaders, displaying honesty, integrity and compassion is key to achieving this.”
Also a former selection panellist and current Patron of the McKinnon Prize, The Hon Mike Baird AO, said the Shortlisting Committee and Selection Panel have the opportunity to shine a light on the important work of elected representatives around the country.
“The McKinnon Prize recognises outstanding political leaders in Australia who strive for positive outcomes for their constituents,” Mr Baird said.
“Last year presented a unique set of challenges for our leaders, with many stand-out displays of leadership, both on the domestic and international stage. The McKinnon Prize’s Selection Panel faces a considerable task ahead.”
Each of the Shortlisting Committee and Selection Panel will meet in February. Recipients of the 2022 McKinnon Prize in Political Leadership will be announced in March 2023.
For more information, visit the McKinnon Prize website: https://www.mckinnonprize.org.au
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ABOUT THE MCKINNON PRIZE
The McKinnon Prize in Political Leadership is an independent, non-partisan award that acknowledges outstanding political leadership across the political spectrum. It is a collaboration between the Susan McKinnon Foundation and the University of Melbourne.