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MCKINNON PRIZE
The prize is Australia's only independent, non-partisan award for outstanding political leadership. It seeks to recognise leaders, encourage national discussion and inspire others to pursue courageous and visionary political leadership.
A partnership between
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our purpose
As Australians, we tend to be good at pointing to what we don't like about our political leaders, but if we want to be constructive we also need to identify, recognise, and discuss the qualities we admire. That's what the McKinnon Prize seeks to do.
Scepticism can be healthy, but Australians' trust in their political leaders has been falling. Without this trust, belief in our system of government can erode and necessary reforms become impossible to achieve. The McKinnon Prize therefore seeks to highlight genuine examples of leadership excellence to counterbalance the prevailing pessimism.
The McKinnon Prize is an unapologetically positive initiative that we hope encourages national discussion about our expectations of political leadership.
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The McKinnon Prize recognises outstanding Australian political leaders in three categories:
McKinnon Political Leader of the Year - Federal
Long-serving federal elected representatives with over five years in elected office.
McKinnon Political Leader of the Year - State/Territory
State or Territory elected representatives with over five years in elected office.
McKinnon Emerging Political Leader of the Year
Recently elected representatives, with less than five years in federal, state/territory or local office.
PRIZE CRITERIA
THE PRIZE CRITERIA
In each prize category, nominations are evaluated by an independent Shortlisting Committee and then a Selection Panel, against the same criteria. The criteria ensure leaders are recognised for the right reasons.
The criteria reflect a leader’s ability to put their country’s needs first, their vision, and their capacity to collaborate and embrace non-partisanship to deliver positive outcomes.
The McKinnon Prize criteria are:
Vision:
The nominee has demonstrated innovative, farsighted, and practical thinking to identify and resolve important public policy problems.
Collaboration:
The nominee has built coalitions to achieve positive outcomes across and beyond partisan divides.
Ethical behaviour:
The nominee has exhibited honesty, integrity, respect and compassion through a standard of conduct and behaviour that inspires public confidence.
Courage:
The nominee has shown bravery to stand up for a worthy principle for the greater good, overcoming formidable opposition or sectional interests, regardless of risks to their own career advancement.
Impact:
The nominee has demonstrably advanced the public good.
selection panel and process
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a diverse and independent judging panel
The McKinnon Prize is awarded each year from a pool of nominations through a rigorous and transparent selection process. The McKinnon Prize is judged by a unique panel of prominent and accomplished Australians representing the breadth of the political spectrum.
2024 Prize recipients
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Julian Leeser MP - Joint Winner
McKinnon Political Leader of the Year - Federal
Julian Leeser MP, Federal Member for Berowra, and Josh Burns MP, Federal Member for Macnamara have been named joint recipients of the 2024 Federal McKinnon Prize for Political Leadership for their collaborative leadership and integrity of conduct in addressing antisemitism in Australia.
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Josh Burns MP - Joint Winner
McKinnon Political Leader of the Year - Federal
Julian Leeser MP, Federal Member for Berowra, and Josh Burns MP, Federal Member for Macnamara have been named joint recipients of the 2024 Federal McKinnon Prize for Political Leadership for their collaborative leadership and integrity of conduct in addressing antisemitism in Australia.
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Hon Peter Malinauskas MP
McKinnon Political Leader of the Year – State/Territory
The Hon Peter Malinauskas MP, Premier of South Australia has been named the recipient of the 2024 McKinnon Prize in Political Leadership - State/Territory for his consistent, effective leadership over time and on a broad range of policies for the benefit of South Australia. He was also shortlisted for the McKinnon Prize in Political Leadership – State/Territory in 2023.
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Allegra Spender MP
McKinnon Emerging Political Leader of the Year
Allegra Spender MP has been named McKinnon Emerging Political Leader of the Year 2024 for her impressive policy approach, significant and substantial work on tax reform, and her discipline in pursuing a challenging policy agenda. She was previously shortlisted for McKinnon Emerging Political Leader of the Year in 2023.
EXPLORE MORE from mckinnon
DEMOCRACY
Strengthening democracy
A resilient and vibrant democracy requires constant vigilance and renewal. Supporting and strengthening our democratic foundations has become critical for Australia’s future.
PUBLIC SECTOR
Public sector effectiveness
A high-performing public sector is essential for translating policy decisions into tangible outcomes that benefit all Australians.
POLICY INNOVATION
Practical policy approaches
Australia faces specific challenges that require fresh thinking and proven solutions. From education inequality to economic productivity, we need policy approaches that work - not in theory, but in practice.