Premier Peter Malinauskas awarded McKinnon Prize for Political Leadership (state/territory)
South Australian Premier Peter Malinauskas has been described as a ‘once-in-a-generation’ type of leader and lauded by former political rivals who have awarded him a top national honour.
Peter Malinauskas has won a national political leadership award, winning praise from former rivals and judges as a “model Premier” who has “restored pride in his state”.
Awarding the McKinnon Prize for Political Leadership (state/territory) on Thursday night, former New South Wales Liberal premier Mike Baird lauded Mr Malinauskas for transforming the state with conviction and vision.
The selection panel, which included former deputy prime minister and Nationals leader John Anderson, hailed Mr Malinauskas as a “standout nominee” who had expanded the economy and attracted people to a thriving Adelaide.
The panel also included Sky News Australia political commentator Peta Credlin, who was Liberal prime minister Tony Abbott’s chief of staff, Macquarie University chancellor and former Prime Minister and Cabinet Department chief Martin Parkinson and former Western Australian Labor premier Geoff Gallop.
Mr Baird, also the McKinnon chief executive officer and Cricket Australia chairman, said the prize was “unapologetically positive” and celebrated leaders who rose “above the noise and division to show what politics can be at its best”.
“Premier Peter Malinauskas has proven that conviction and vision, matched with humility and inclusiveness, can transform a state and restore pride in public life,” Mr Baird said.
“Our hope is that these winners inspire others to enter public life, and remind Australians that leadership of integrity, empathy and ambition is alive and shaping our future.”
The selection panel praised Mr Malinauskas for attracting major sporting events, particularly AFL Gather Round, and his “leadership approach to civics and citizenship education aimed safeguarding democracy”.
“He was considered to be a model Premier, someone who had restored pride in his state, encouraging people to move to Adelaide, a city which is now seen as thriving,” the selection panel’s statement said.
“ … Most commentators agree that he is one of the nation’s strongest-performing premiers and South Australia’s economy has continued to expand under his leadership. Through his premiership, Peter Malinauskas has been largely lauded for his conduct, vision, willingness to collaborate and ability to govern from the centre.
“He has been described as a ‘once-in-a-generation’ type of leader who is a man of integrity and seems to genuinely want the best for South Australia.”
But Opposition Leader Vincent Tarzia on Thursday demanded Mr Malinauskas explain why so many Labor MPs were fleeing his leadership and abandoning the party.
“What is going on in the Labor Party at the moment? You’ve literally seen, I think it’s now four MPs announce their retirements in the space of two to three weeks. I think the Premier’s got a lot to answer for. Why is it all of a sudden that people are jumping ship in the Labor Party?” Mr Tarzia said.
Declaring Mr Malinauskas could not just “run off and hide” from bad news, Mr Tarzia demanded the Premier come clean with voters on “who is actually running for his party for the next state election” in March next year.
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