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A partnership between
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The McKinnon Prize in Political Leadership is a collaboration between McKinnon and the University of Melbourne and is Australia's only independent, non-partisan award for outstanding political leadership.
Established in 2017, this prestigious award celebrates political leaders who demonstrate exceptional vision, collaboration, courage, and ethical behaviour. By highlighting exceptional leadership the Prize creates important national conversation, reinforcing trust in our political leaders and inspiring the future leaders who are critical for a well functioning Democracy.
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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:
The nominee has demonstrated a clear and compelling vision grounded in public purpose, looking beyond immediate pressures and pursuing long-term outcomes with clarity, courage, conviction and appropriate adaptability.
The nominee has mobilised people and built relationships across party, sector and community divides to strengthen trust and legitimacy and achieve durable reform.
The nominee has exercised power with integrity, humility and curiosity, demonstrating accountability, self-awareness and a willingness to seek diverse perspectives and respond to evidence.
The nominee has exercised power responsibly and strengthened the democratic system, balancing partisan objectives with respect for the institutions, norms and long-term system health that sustain democratic legitimacy.
The nominee has used the authority and opportunities of their role to make tangible improvements in people’s lives and contribute to sustainable reform, stronger institutions, improved state/national outcomes or increased public trust.
2026 nomination form
Nominations close Friday 27 November 2026.
For any questions, please contact [email protected]
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