An unlikely election-trail "bromance" between Premier Chris Minns and his Liberal predecessor Dominic Perrottet has landed the pair a prestigious political leadership prize.
The Labor leader and ex-Liberal premier were on Friday awarded the McKinnon Political Leader of the Year prize in state government for their political vision, collaboration, courage and ethical behaviour.
The political foes won the gong for the "civil, respectful and substance-based campaigning of the two leaders before and during the 2023 state election", the judges said, describing it as "a powerful example that demanded recognition".
“Australian voters have for a very long time been frustrated by what they see as an unnecessary and unedifying level of rancour in politics,” award panellist Martin Parkinson said in a statement.
“Both Mr Minns and Mr Perrottet would doubtless have sacrificed traditional opportunities for short-term political gain by adhering to a respectful campaign based on policies and not personality."
Voters responded to a "civil tone" which "opens up new opportunities to collaborate and achieve better policy outcomes through consensus", Dr Parkinson added.
Mr Minns, who led Labor to power at the March 2023 state election by defeating the Perrottet-led Liberal-National coalition, said at the time the campaign could be a model of respect and civility for democracy in Australia.
"This election campaign, perhaps uniquely, was a model of respect and civility, and neither party took the low road, neither political party took the low blow," he said in claiming victory.
Mr Perrottet returned the compliment, telling party faithful Mr Minns would "make a fine 47th premier of NSW" and the election had represented "politics ... at its best".
"In many ways, that is due to Chris Minns and of the way that he has carried himself throughout this campaign," he said in his concession speech.
Tasmanian Liberal MP Bridget Archer was on Wednesday awarded the 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 award.
