November 16, 2023
Australia’s traditional irreverence about politics is, in many respects, a good thing – a potent check against grandiose populists, incendiary nationalists and snake-oil salespeople. But in the wake of the referendum, we should recognise our scepticism has created fertile ground for disinformation. In recent years, we have seen thousands of people taken in by the […]
Australians are being urged to put forward excellent political leaders for the 2023 McKinnon Prize in Political Leadership, with nominations for the prestigious award now open. The McKinnon Prize is Australia’s independent, non-partisan award for outstanding political leadership, recognising leaders who have shown vision, courage, collaboration, and ethical behaviour. Three prizes will be awarded this […]
October 18, 2023
What does effective leadership look like in an increasingly polarised world? What does it mean to be a citizen of Australia in 2023? How can civic leaders — and members of our communities — help restore trust in institutions so we can build a more inclusive and tolerant society? These questions — and many others […]
You can scarcely get out of bed these days without someone trying to persuade you to vote this way or that at the upcoming referendum. This piece won’t do that. But it will try to persuade you that you owe it to yourself, your nation, and future generations to really take the time to consider […]
July 11, 2023
The Hon Simon Crean, who was appointed as an Ambassador of the McKinnon Prize in 2020, had a long and distinguished career in politics. His courage and principled actions throughout his remarkable career earned him respect across the political spectrum, within unions, among parliamentary colleagues, and business leaders. As Australia’s trade minister he excelled and […]
A healthy culture of ‘frank and fearless advice’ in which public servants courageously offer their political masters a way forward for the good of the nation is something the robo-debt royal commission has exposed as sorely lacking in recent weeks. But optimal conditions for this dynamic to exist also depend on politicians who make space […]
March 13, 2023
Foreign Minister Penny Wong and independent MP Helen Haines have been named as winners of a prestigious prize for political leadership, recognised for improving Australia’s standing at home and abroad. Senator Wong will receive the 2022 McKinnon Prize for political leader of the year, a collaboration between the Susan McKinnon Foundation and the University of Melbourne. The award […]
The 2022 McKinnon Prize in Political Leadership has recognised the power of sustained commitment to collaboration and relationship-building in advancing a political vision, with leaders Senator the Hon Penny Wong and Dr Helen Haines MP named recipients of the Prize. In a year of seismic change in Australia’s politics, the two recipients’ dedication to achieving […]
Fiona Patten entered politics to lobby on behalf of sex workers to decriminalise their profession. After eight years as a Victorian Upper House MP, her reach extended beyond her original mission to deliver the nation’s first voluntary assisted dying scheme, safe access zones around abortion clinics, a safe injecting room in North Richmond, ridesharing legislation, […]
Everyone loves a prize. In Australia, we award prizes to recognise exceptional achievement in fields from science, to writing, to football. So how about political leadership? It’s easy to be sceptical. Criticising politicians is something of a national sport. And some of the brickbats are undoubtedly justified. But it is also true that many politicians […]