A rugby giant turned political rookie and outspoken Liberal backbencher have taken out two of Parliament House's most prestigious gongs.
Tasmanian Liberal MP Bridget Archer was awarded the 2023 McKinnon Political Leader of the Year prize in federal government for her courage in standing up for her principles and the interests of her constituents.
Former Wallabies captain turned independent ACT senator David Pocock claimed the McKinnon Emerging Political Leader of the Year.
Acknowledging most people do not care about politicians winning awards, Senator Pocock commended his team for getting him over the line.
"I do think it is important to be recognising people like Bridget who have shown courage and have been really inspirational for people inside and outside of politics," he said while accepting the award on Wednesday.
"To see her crossing the floor, speaking up for her constituents and really putting people and values first ahead of some of the party politics we see."
Trust in political leaders and democracy had been corroded around the world and it was important public representatives restored that, Ms Archer said.
"I said I'd be a genuine and authentic representative for my community and I've tried to do that every day," she said.
During her five years in federal office, Ms Archer has crossed the floor on at least seven occasions.
This includes the times she stood up for an anti-corruption commission, protections for transgender students and an end to the prosecution of whistleblowers, including David McBride and Julian Assange.
Judged by some of the nation's biggest names including ABC presenter Patricia Karvelas, Australia's former chief scientist Alan Finkel and Macquarie University chancellor Martin Parkinson, the award panel noted Ms Archer's bravery.
Senator Pocock genuinely sought to engage with legislation and policy to make them better instead of horsetrading favours to pass bills, former speaker Tony Smith said when awarding him the prize.
Before representing ACT constituents, Senator Pocock represented Australia on international rugby fields and used his profile to advocate for a variety of causes.
He refused to get married until same-sex marriage was made legal in 2017 and sought to bring an Auslan interpreter to the Senate floor during his first speech in 2022.
The McKinnon Prize is a collaboration between the Susan McKinnon Foundation and the University of Melbourne and is self-described as an "independent, non-partisan award for outstanding political leadership".
Past recipients include Foreign Minister Penny Wong, independent MP Helen Haines and former Liberal health minister Greg Hunt.
