The 2022 McKinnon Prize in Political Leadership has recognised the power of sustained commitment to collaboration and relationship-building in advancing a political vision, with Senator Penny Wong and Member for Indi, Helen Haines, named as recipients of the prize.

In a year of seismic change in Australia’s politics, the two recipients’ dedication to achieving genuine impact in their roles stood out among exceptionally strong shortlists according to the selection panel.

Minister for Foreign Affairs, Penny Wong, along with Dr Haines, were able to navigate the electoral changes brought by voters that affected Australian politics last year, while remaining resolute in their commitment to their respective agendas it said.

The 2022 Prize recipients were determined by a panel of distinguished Australian leaders with both recipients recognised for building connection, respect and trust at a local, national and in the case of Minister Wong, global level, to deliver positive outcomes.

Dr Haines has been awarded the 2022 McKinnon Emerging Political Leader of the Year award for her commitment to integrity in politics and her dedication to serving her electorate and connecting her constituency to her national policy work, as demonstrated through the Beechworth Principles and subsequent consensus building over time.

The panel recognised Dr Haines’ considerable impact as a “community driven” and collaborative leader on the national stage.

“Her courageous longterm vision, commitment and ability to build consensus across the Parliament has defined the national discussion on integrity in politics over many years, culminating in the Parliament legislating a national integrity commission in 2022.”

In accepting the prize, Dr Haines expressed gratitude to her constituents for their ongoing support of her representation.

“It is the honour of a lifetime to represent the people of Indi in the Federal Parliament and it is the people of Indi who have spurred me on in my work to improve integrity, accountability and transparency in federal politics,” she said.

“The establishment of the National Anti-Corruption Commission is the most significant integrity reform at a federal level in more than 40 years and I am incredibly proud to have played a role in that and look forward to continuing to work to improve integrity and transparency in politics.

“I also look forward to continuing working to improve healthcare in regional and rural Australia, tackling the local housing crisis and implementing action on climate change that benefits regional Australia.

“I pay tribute to the Susan McKinnon Foundation and their work to improve Australia’s democracy and to all of the prize nominees.”

Member of the Selection Panel, Chancellor of Macquarie University and former senior public servant, Dr Martin Parkinson AC PSM, said “Helen wasn’t the only one to have made integrity an issue but what was truly outstanding was the way in which she gradually built support across her community and across the broader parliamentary community.

“Politics is the art of the possible and that’s something that you can be dismissive of but what she did was to find a way to walk a path through all the competing groups and ended up with a policy position that everybody could come in behind.

“Helen did something unusual in that she engaged her local community on the integrity principles. It showed proper grassroots democracy.

“She took up an issue – that for many people was probably distant – and gave them a mechanism whereby they could contribute.”

Minister Wong has been awarded the 2022 McKinnon Political Leader of the Year for her swift and demonstrable progress in re-setting Australia’s foreign policy agenda and in working respectfully to enhance important bilateral relationships in a challenging geopolitical environment.

The selection panel recognised her strong transition from the Shadow Ministry to her role as Minister for Foreign Affairs over the course of 2022, as her “listen first, talk second” approach helped to restore Australia’s diplomatic relationships and standing as a nation in the region.

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. 

This article appeared in the Corryong Courier, 16 March 2023.