Liberal MP Bridget Archer has been recognised as Australia’s political leader of the year by the prestigious McKinnon Prize, with the award noting her “rare courage” in standing up for her principles.
The prize noted Archer’s long-standing willingness to stand up for what she believes in, even if that puts her at odds with her party, as well as her collaborative approach to policy discussions.
The McKinnon Prize is Australia’s independent, non-partisan award for outstanding political leadership and is a collaboration between the Susan McKinnon Foundation and the University of Melbourne. Since 2017, it has been awarded annually.
The McKinnon Federal Political Leader of the Year recognises MPs with more than five years in elected office.
“Bridget Archer’s leadership has impressed successive McKinnon Prize selection panels. It’s appropriate she takes the top honour this year,” said Dr Martin Parkinson, the Chair of the selection panel.
“Ms Archer has consistently demonstrated rare courage by standing up for her principles and the interests of her constituents, even when this has put her at odds with her party and threatened her career. Through all this, her dedication and commitment to her party is clear and the panel noted how she has worked tirelessly to drive reforms from within.”
Since her election, Archer has consistently stood apart from other members of the Liberal Party, crossing the floor on numerous occasions. During the Morrison government, she crossed the floor to bring on debate about an anti-corruption commission and also voted for stronger protections for LGBTQI+ students amid debate on the failed religious discrimination bill. Archer also voted in favour of the Albanese government’s climate bill in 2022.
Archer said representing her electorate of Bass in Tasmania is “truly and honour and privilege” and she will continue to use her voice to be an advocate for women and children and to also push for better mental health services.
“From the day I was elected I committed to being a genuine and authentic representative for the people of Bass. Being a recipient of the McKinnon Prize is a reminder it is the community I ultimately serve,” she said.
“As members of federal parliament, we are in the unique position to lead the conversation and ensure all voices are heard. I will continue to speak out against gendered violence and call for the elimination of violence against women and children. I look forward to continuing my advocacy to ensure adequate mental health services are provided not just in Northern Tasmania but across Australia, ensuring the most vulnerable in our society are protected.”
Former Chief Scientist Dr Alan Finkel, a member of the selection panel, said Archer was well known for her collaborative approach, community work and inclusion of young people in policy discussions.
“Australian political parties traditionally value discipline and it takes real bravery to pursue an alternate path of principled leadership,” Finkel said.
Senator David Pocock, who holds the balance of power in the Senate, was also awarded the prize for emerging political leader of the year, which recognises recently-elected representatives.
Dr Martin Parkinson said Pocock had made a “serious impact” on Australian politics in an “impressively short period of time”.
“The panel was impressed by his articulation of a new kind of collaborative politics, and his dedication to these principles in practice,” he said.
“Historically, Australia has seen senators who hold the balance of power use that to pursue a relative narrow set of goals, designed to satisfy a small constituency, often at the expense of the broader community. Senator Pocock is a great example of how that position of power can be used to pursue a broader vision for the community as a whole.”
In accepting the award, Pocock said: “I believe we have so much more in common than the sum of our differences and this is the approach I’ve tried to bring to my role on the crossbench. We are facing huge challenges as communities, as a nation and globally it’s more important than ever to find ways to work together to solve them.
“Being accessible, accountable and putting people first, above politics, is what I committed to doing.”
Last year, Foreign Minister Penny Wong and independent MP Helen Haines were recognised by the McKinnon Prize.