Through the Years - McKinnon Prize

Each year, recipients of the McKinnon Prize for Political Leader of the Year and Emerging Political Leader of the Year are determined by a panel of esteemed Australians. Recipients are recognised at an annual awards event and celebrated for the positive impact of their leadership for Australia.

2021 2020 2019 2018 2017

2021

Recipients

The Hon Tony Smith MP

McKinnon Political Leader of the Year 2021

The Hon Tony Smith MP was awarded the 2021 McKinnon Prize in Political Leadership for his work in consistently and impactfully upholding parliamentary standards and ensuring bipartisan accountability within the parliament.

Councillor Teresa Harding

McKinnon Emerging Political Leader of the Year 2021

Councillor Teresa Harding was named the 2021 McKinnon Emerging Political Leader of the Year for her work in improving transparency and public accountability in political institutions.

Watch the 2021 recipients of the McKinnon Prize in Political Leadership discuss their work and the role of political leaders.

Selection Panel

The Hon Julia Gillard AC

Former Prime Minister of Australia

The Hon Mike Baird AO

Former Premier of New South Wales

Dennis Richardson AC

Former Diplomat and Public Servant (Chair)

Robin Bishop

Founding Partner, BGH Capital

Professor Tom Calma AO, FAA

Chancellor, University of Canberra

Peta Credlin AO

Journalist

Caitlin Figueiredo

Co-Chair of the Australian Youth Affairs Coalition

Ronni Kahn AO

Founder, OzHarvest

Catherine Livingstone AO, FAA, FTSE

Chair of Commonwealth Bank

Katherine McConnell

Founder and CEO of Brighte

Annika Smethurst

Journalist

Dr Martin Parkinson AC, PSM

Chancellor, Macquarie University

Professor Michael Wesley

Deputy Vice-Chancellor, International, the University of Melbourne

2020

Recipients

The Hon Greg Hunt MP

McKinnon Political Leader of the Year 2020

The Hon Greg Hunt MP was named the 2020 McKinnon Political Leader of the Year for his leadership in spearheading Australia’s health response to the COVID-19 pandemic during 2020.

Dr Anne Aly MP

McKinnon Emerging Political Leader of the Year 2020

Dr Anne Aly MP was named the 2020 McKinnon Emerging Political Leader of the Year. She was recognised for her work in advocating to reduce violence against women and children and exposing extremist groups to greater government scrutiny.

Watch the 2020 recipients of the McKinnon Prize in Political Leadership discuss their work and the role of political leaders.

Selection Panel

The Hon Julia Gillard AC

Former Prime Minister of Australia

The Hon Mike Baird AO

Former Premier of New South Wales

Professor Jim McCluskey AO

Acting Provost, University of Melbourne

Leigh Clifford AC

Chairman, Bechtel Australia

Professor Megan Davis

Expert with the UN Human Rights Council's Expert Mechanism on the rights of Indigenous peoples

Nick Farr-Jones AM

Director of Taurus Funds Management Pty Ltd

Chris Kenny

Political commentator, author and former political adviser

Sabra Lane

Presenter, ABC Radio’s AM and President of the National Press Club of Australia

Catherine Livingstone AO, FAA, FTSE

Chairman of the Commonwealth Bank

Peter McNamara

Board Director of the Australian Council of Social Service

Sophie Oh

Co-Founder, Susan McKinnon Foundation

Lisa Paul AO, PSM

Former senior Australian public servant and policymaker

Yasmin Poole

Award-winning speaker, writer and youth advocate

2019

Recipients

Premier Gladys Berejiklian

McKinnon Political Leader of the Year 2019

Premier Gladys Berejiklian was named the McKinnon Political Leader of the Year for 2019. She was recognised for in her role as Premier and for her outstanding leadership of New South Wales. This was reflected in her balanced and empathetic handling of reproductive health reform, a strong economic and budget position, and record infrastructure expenditure.

Lord Mayor Sally Capp

McKinnon Emerging Political Leader of the Year 2019

Lord Mayor Sally Capp was named the 2019 McKinnon Emerging Political Leader of the Year for her outstanding leadership of the Melbourne City Council. In particular, she was noted for her stabilising presence in Town Hall, where she has fostered a high degree of consensus among councillors for advancing an impactful policy agenda.

Watch the 2019 recipients of the McKinnon Prize in Political Leadership discuss their work and the role of political leaders.

Selection Panel

The Hon Julia Gillard AC

Former Prime Minister of Australia

The Hon Mike Baird AO

Former Premier of New South Wales

Professor Mark Considine

Provost, University of Melbourne

Leigh Clifford AC

Chairman, Bechtel Australia

Peta Credlin AO

SKY News Political Anchor and News Corp National Columnist

Air Chief Marshal Sir Angus Houston AK, AC, AFC

Former Chief of the Australian Defense Force

Laura John

National President of the United Nations Association of Australia’s Young Professionals Network

Sabra Lane

Presenter, ABC Radio’s AM and President of the National Press Club of Australia

Jack Manning Bancroft

Founder and CEO, AIME

Grant Rule

Co-Founder, Susan McKinnon Foundation

Kevin Sheedy AO

Former AFL premiership coach

Deidre Willmott

Former Chief Executive Officer, Chamber of Commerce & Industry of Western Australia

2018

Recipients

Senator Penny Wong

McKinnon Political Leader of the Year 2018

Senator Penny Wong was named the 2018 McKinnon Political Leader of the Year for her leadership and advocacy in promoting a more tolerant and inclusive Australia and for shaping Australia’s foreign policy dialogue.

Senator Jordon Steele-John

McKinnon Emerging Political Leader of the Year 2018

Senator Jordon Steele-John was named the 2018 McKinnon Emerging Political Leader of the Year for his outstanding leadership on disability advocacy.

Watch the 2018 recipients of the McKinnon Prize in Political Leadership discuss their work and the role of political leaders.

Selection Panel

The Hon Julia Gillard AC

Former Prime Minister of Australia

The Hon John Howard OM AC SSI

Former Prime Minister of Australia

Lisa Alexander AM

Head Coach, Australian Netball Team

Professor Mark Considine

Provost, University of Melbourne

Leigh Clifford AC

Former Chairman, Qantas Airways

Dr Mukesh Haikerwal

Former Federal President, Australian Medical Association

Chris Kenny

Associate Editor (National Affairs), The Australian

Dennis Richardson AC

Former Secretary, Department of Defence

Grant Rule

Co-Founder, Susan McKinnon Foundation

Dr Helen Szoke AO

Chief Executive, Oxfam

Laura Tingle

Chief Political Correspondent, 7.30

Jennifer Westacott AO

Chief Executive, Business Council of Australia

Sashenka Worsman

Chief Executive Officer, Oaktree

2017

Recipients

Senator Dean Smith

McKinnon Political Leader of the Year 2017

Senator Dean Smith was named the 2017 McKinnon Political Leader of the Year for tackling vital issues of public policy, overcoming adversity and achieving real change for the public good.

Councillor Vonda Malone

McKinnon Emerging Political Leader of the Year 2017

Councillor Vonda Malone was named the 2017 McKinnon Emerging Political Leader of the Year for her outstanding leadership as Mayor of Torres Shire Council.

Watch the 2017 recipients of the McKinnon Prize in Political Leadership discuss their work and the role of political leaders.