The member for Indi has been chosen as a finalist for a national political leadership award.
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Helen Haines is one of six vying for the McKinnon Emerging Leader of the Year prize which recognises an outsanding politician with less than five years in office.
Her rivals are fellow Independent MP Zali Steggall, federal Labor member Anne Aly, northern NSW mayor Carol Sparks, Brisbane councillor Fiona Cunningham and ACT shadow attorney-general Elizabeth Lee.
Former Immigration Minister Amanda Vanstone, an ambassador for the prize, said the process put the focus on what it means to be a worthy leader.
"By celebrating emerging leaders, we are prompting discussions about what good quality leadership can look like at all levels of government and inspiring the next generation to get involved," Ms Vanstone said.
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The panel deciding the winner of the emerging leader prize consists of former prime minister Julia Gillard, past NSW premier Mike Baird, ex-captain of Australia's men's rugby team Nick Farr-Jones, Sky News television host Chris Kenny, ABC radio presenter Sabra Lane, Commonwealth Bank chair Catherine Livingstone, past Qantas chairman Leigh Clifford human rights lawyer Professor Megan Davis, former top public servant Lisa Paul, Australian Council of Social Service director Peter McNamara and youth advocate Yasmin Poole.
The prize for political leadership will be announced at the same time in mid-March.
Finalists for that are Prime Minister Scott Morrison, Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews, federal Treasurer Josh Frydenberg, federal Health Minister Greg Hunt MP, NSW Energy and Environment Minister. Matt Kean and federal Indigenous Australians Minister Ken Wyatt.
