The McKinnon Prize, Australia’s independent and non-partisan award for outstanding political leadership, has announced the shortlist for its annual awards. The shortlist contains outstanding political leaders from a diverse range of backgrounds, united by their delivery of effective political leadership and to inspire the next generation of Australian leaders.
After extensive deliberation, the 2023 McKinnon Prize’s Shortlisting Committee (see below) has shortlisted political leaders from all levels of government.
The McKinnon Emerging Political Leader of the Year Shortlist:
Jonty Bush MP
Senator Kerrynne Liddle
Senator David Pocock
Allegra Spender MP
Cr Anthony Tran and Cr Jasmine Nguyen (joint nomination)
The McKinnon State and Territory Political Leader of the Year Shortlist:
Hon Victor Dominello
Alex Greenwich MP
Hon Eloise ‘Ella’ Rafia Haddad MP
Hon Peter Malinauskas MP
Hon Chanston ‘Chansey’ Paech MLA
Hon Chris Minns MP and Hon Dominic Perrottet MP (joint nomination)
The McKinnon Federal Political Leader of the Year Shortlist:
Bridget Archer MP
Hon Dr Jim Chalmers MP
Julian Leeser MP
Hon Dr Andrew Leigh MP
Hon Clare O’Neil MP
Senator Jacinta Nampijinpa Price
“These Prize Shortlisting nominations reflect the changing face of Australia’s political leadership,” said McKinnon Prize Shortlisting Committee Chair Michael Brennan.
“The list this year includes a number of politicians who were motivated to enter political life to make a difference in one particular area, while all nominees have demonstrated civility during heated debate and a willingness to work collaboratively.
“This year’s Emerging Leader list is particularly exciting and I believe each of the nominees have the capacity to inspire future Australian political leaders.
“Judging the quality of political leadership is obviously an ambitious undertaking. Wrestling with this shortlist stimulated a fascinating debate within the committee and I hope it stimulates debate in the community as well.
“As Australians we tend to be pretty sceptical about our political leaders. While that can be healthy, it’s also important to recognise examples of leadership excellence. Trust in our political leaders has been falling for some time, and without this trust, belief in our system of government can erode and necessary reforms become impossible to achieve.
“The McKinnon Prize is an unapologetically positive initiative designed to encourage constructive discussion about our expectations of political leadership. I look forward to seeing the final result determined by the Selection Panel.”
The Selection Panel will meet soon to decide on the winners of the Prize across its three categories – Federal, State and Emerging Political Leaders – measured against the Prize’s criteria. The Prize recipients will be announced following the Selection Panel meeting.
How the shortlist was chosen:
The McKinnon Prize in Political Leadership is a collaboration between the Susan McKinnon Foundation and the University of Melbourne.
The McKinnon Prize is judged by a unique Shortlisting Committee and then Selection Panel of prominent and accomplished Australians. By assembling a unique judging panel drawn from across the political spectrum the McKinnon Prize proves that genuine consensus is possible in the modern era. This year the Shortlisting Committee was:
Michael Brennan, CEO, e61 Institute (Chair)
Anthony Benscher, Managing Director, Barton Deakin
Wendy Black, Head of Policy, Business Council of Australia
Phillip Coorey, Political Editor, Australian Financial Review
David Cross, Chief of Staff, Office of the Vice Chancellor, UNSW
Emma Dawson, Executive Director of Per Capita
Ryan Liddell, Managing Partner, Principle Advisory
Shayne Mallard, Director City Futures, Liverpool City Council
The Hon Bronwyn Pike AM, CEO, Uniting Vic Tas
Cr Nicholas Reece, Deputy Lord Mayor of Melbourne, Principal Fellow, Melbourne School of Government, The University of Melbourne
John Scales, Founder, JWS Research
Lenore Taylor, Editor, The Guardian Australia
