In Australia, we tend to be good at pointing out what we don't like about our leaders.

However, we believe it is vital to identify, honour and engage in conversation about the admirable qualities and accomplishments of outstanding leadership. That is what the McKinnon Prize seeks to do.

The McKinnon Prize is a rare opportunity to recognise outstanding Australian political leadership, providing a crucial and constructive counterbalance to widespread cynicism.

2023

Recipients

Senator David Pocock

McKinnon Emerging Political Leader of the Year

Senator David Pocock of the ACT has been named McKinnon Emerging Political Leader of the Year 2023 for his values-driven approach to handling his balance of power position in the Senate and commitment to genuinely listening to and appraising competing perspectives.  Senator Pocock was also shortlisted in 2022 for McKinnon Emerging Political Leader of the Year.

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Bridget Archer MP

McKinnon Political Leader of the Year - Federal

Bridget Archer MP, Federal Member for Bass, has been named the 2023 Federal Political Leader of the Year for consistently demonstrating rare courage in standing up for her principles and the interests of her constituents, even when this has put her at odds with her party. Bridget Archer was also shortlisted in 2022 for McKinnon Political Leader of the Year. 

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Premier Chris Minns and Premier Dominic Perrottet

McKinnon Political Leader of the Year - State and Territory

The Hon. Chris Minns MP, Premier of NSW and The Hon. Dominic Perrottet MP, former Premier of NSW, have been named joint recipients of the first McKinnon Prize for State/Territory Political Leader of the Year, for their civil conduct and respectful leadership during the 2023 State Election Campaign.

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Selection Panel

Dr Martin Parkinson AC PSM (Chair)

Chancellor of Macquarie University
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Luke Achterstraat

CEO of the Council of Small Business Organisations Australia (COSBOA)
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Peta Credlin AO

Political Commentator at Sky News Australia
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Georgie Harman

Chief Executive Officer, Beyond Blue
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Dr Alan Finkel AC

Chair of Stile Education, Chair of the Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Quantum Biotechnology
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Tanya Hosch

Executive General Manager of Inclusion and Social Policy, Australian Football League
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Patricia Karvelas

Host of RN Breakfast, ABC Radio
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Prof. Renee Leon PSM

Vice Chancellor and President, Charles Sturt University
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Cathy McGowan AO

Chair, AgriFutures
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The Hon. Arthur Sinodinos AO

Partner & Chair of Australia Practice, The Asia Group
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Ashleigh Streeter-Jones

Founder & CEO of Raise Our Voice Australia (ROVA)
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David Thodey AO

Chairman, Xero and Ramsay Healthcare
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The Hon Jay Weatherill AO

Director of Public Affairs, Minderoo Foundation
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2022
2021
2020
2019
2018
2017