ACT Independent Senator David Pocock has been shortlisted for the 2022 McKinnon Emerging Political Leader of the Year for his impact on the Australian political landscape in 2022.
The Selection Committee acknowledged Senator Pocock’s style of political engagement, including his demonstrated effectiveness in working with the major parties and the crossbench to secure changes to important government legislation to achieve positive outcomes for his electorate.
The McKinnon Emerging Political Leader of the Year recognises elected representatives at a local, state and territory, or federal level with fewer than five years in elected office.
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Other shortlisted leaders for the 2022 McKinnon Emerging Political Leader of the Year are Geraldine Atkinson and Marcus Stewart, in a joint nomination, Co-Chairs of the First Peoples’ Assembly of Victoria; Dr Helen Haines MP (Independent); the Teal Independents, in a collective nomination; and Councillor Anthony Tran, Maribyrnong City Council.
Elected representatives with more than five years in elected office at a local, state and territory or federal level can be nominated for the McKinnon Political Leader of the Year.
The Prime Minister, Anthony Albanese MP (Labor); Bridget Archer MP (Liberals); Linda Burney MP (Labor); Alex Greenwich MP (Independent); Matt Kean MP (Liberals); and Senator Penny Wong (Labor) have been shortlisted for the 2022 McKinnon Political Leader of the Year.
Fiona Patten MLC (Reason Party) was recognised with an honourable mention by the McKinnon Prize Shortlisting Committee for her significant achievements and impact throughout her parliamentary career.
The McKinnon Prize in Political Leadership is a non-partisan and independent award that recognises outstanding Australian political leadership each year. It is a collaboration between the Susan McKinnon Foundation and the University of Melbourne.
A selection panel of distinguished Australian leaders will determine the recipients of the 2022 McKinnon Prize in Political Leadership later this month.
The panel will look for stories of real impact and achievement, where people’s lives were made better through an ability to demonstrate vision, work across partisan divides, build coalitions, and collaborate to achieve positive outcomes.
Previous recipients of the McKinnon Prize include Tony Smith MP (Liberals), Mayor Teresa Harding, Greg Hunt MP (Liberals), and Dr Anne Aly MP (Labor).
A spokesperson said that the shortlist featured a variety of achievements in leadership, but one strong theme.
“The Shortlisting Committee recognised leaders who responded to the needs of their local communities – and pent-up demand for action on key issues, validating that 2022 was indeed the ‘year of the citizen’.
“While major parties are strongly represented, the 2022 shortlist reflects the seismic changes in our politics in 2022: Australians responded to a diversity of leaders across all levels of government who listened, engaged, and collaborated to drive positive outcomes for their constituents.
“While the Prize is designed to recognise positive impact, it is no coincidence that the shortlist includes many leaders who were focused on the big issues of 2022, such as action on climate, integrity in governance, representation, and diversity, which were also rewarded electorally.
“Last year, Australians voted for leaders with long-term vision and courage, and for leaders who would fight for them in their local electorates and communities, to truly represent them. The shortlist includes leaders who have changed our entire political landscape, those who are breaking new ground and new ceilings, advocating for matters important to their communities, and leaders who responded to natural disasters shoulder-to-shoulder with their constituents.”
Danielle Wood, Chair of the 2022 McKinnon Prize Shortlisting Committee and CEO of the Grattan Institute, said good political leadership should be recognised amid ongoing policy challenges facing the nation.
“While you might not agree with the politics or policies of everyone on the shortlist, what is very clear is each political leader showed qualities of great leadership the McKinnon Prize aims to represent,” Ms Wood said.
“The shortlist has displayed integrity, vision, and collaboration, and within their areas of influence have demonstrated courage to change our country for the better. This is worth celebrating.”
Former prime minister, Julia Gillard AC, McKinnon Prize patron, said the shortlisted nominees reflected how very different leaders represent the interests and priorities of their constituents.
“Understandably and correctly, Australians expect a lot from their political leaders,” Ms Gillard said. “The shortlisted nominees highlight the positive work our leaders are tackling at all levels of government.
“It’s this sort of leadership and contribution which I hope inspires the next generation to stand up and participate in meaningful, democratic discourse.”
Former NSW premier, Mike Baird AO, McKinnon Prize patron, expressed support for the diversity of leaders represented by the shortlist, and the variety of impact felt across the political spectrum.
“This year’s McKinnon Prize shortlist demonstrates the diversity of good leadership, particularly emerging leadership, across the country,” Mr Baird said.
“From a local level to our federal parliament, we don’t expect to see the same style of leadership from every leader. 2022 saw different approaches to leadership which connected with communities. This year’s shortlist certainly shows that.”
