Dr Haines and Labor Senator Penny Wong were recently named recipients of the award, which recognises the power of sustained commitment to collaboration and relationship-building in advancing a political vision.
The awards panel said the two recipients’ dedication to achieving genuine impact in their roles stood out among exceptionally strong shortlists.
The 2022 prize recipients were determined by a selection panel of distinguished Australian leaders, with both recipients recognised for building connection, respect and trust at a local and national level to deliver positive outcomes.
Dr Haines has been named the 2022 McKinnon Emerging Political Leader of the Year 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.
Dr Haines’ courageous long-term vision, commitment and ability to build consensus across the parliament has defined the national discussion on integrity in politics during 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,” Dr Haines 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.”
Selection panel member Macquarie University Chancellor Martin Parkinson said Dr Haines was not 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,” Dr Parkinson said.
“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.”
Find out more about the McKinnon Prize at www.mckinnonprize.org.au
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