The most important poll of the year has ended and the results are in. That’s right, more than 2200 people voted in our 2013 Crikey awards. The winners — and you were very decisive this year — are …

Crikey 2013 Person of the Year: Edward Snowden

He changed what we know about how United States authorities spy on people. His leaks unveiled a secret government surveillance network that stretched much further and deeper than most of us had realised. He started a global conversation; he became a fugitive. He was a traitor to his country, he was a hero to those who value transparency and personal privacy.

To different people Edward Snowden is all those things, but to Crikey readers he is the 2013 Person of the Year.

Snowden, who won just over 35% of the vote in our poll, was a runaway winner, ahead of runner-up Cathy McGowan on 17% (she famously toppled Sophie Mirabella in the federal election). Peter Fox, the policeman who blew the whistle on the sexual abuse of children by the clergy, came third.

It’s a more emphatic result than last year, when shot Pakistani schoolgirl and advocate for girls’ education Malala Yousafzai just nudged out Barack Obama for the gong.

Who should be Crikey’s Person of the Year for 2013?

Crikey 2013 Arsehat of the Year: Campbell Newman

Queensland Liberal National Party Premier Campbell Newman decided to take on bikies with draconian laws that criminalise certain types of association and send bikies to prison for much longer than other people who commit the same crime. There’s some public and media support for the move, but legal experts, civil libertarians and bikies are up in arms. Crikey readers have sided with the latter group — 31% of you voted for Newman (and not in a good way). Qantas CEO Alan Joyce was a distant second, edging out Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, suspected of using chemical weapons on his own people. Make of that what you will.

Last year’s Arsehat was Alan Jones; while he’s still ranting on the radio, he’s seen as less influential this time around.

Who should be Crikey’s Arsehat of the Year for 2013?

Sexiest male politician: Malcolm Turnbull

Malcolm Turnbull may have just become a grandfather, but he’s still got it — apparently. It’s the fourth consecutive year he’s taken out the title.

  1. Malcolm Turnbull (Liberal)
  2. Scott Ludlam (Green) — some voted for his hair
  3. Clive Palmer (PUP)
  4. Jason Clare (ALP)
  5. Adam Bandt (Green)

Other responses included “Error 404. Sexy male politician not found,” and “Doug Cameron’s accent”.

Sexiest female politician: Tanya Plibersek

It’s a different story in this category, where Labor’s Kate Ellis has been toppled from her long-held No 1 perch by a rising star (and now deputy leader). Meanwhile, veteran Bronwyn Bishop’s stern style as Speaker seems to have won her fans.

  1. Tanya Plibersek (ALP)
  2. Kate Ellis (ALP)
  3. Bronwyn Bishop (Lib)
  4. Penny Wong (ALP)
  5. Larissa Waters (Green)

We also received votes for Dame Enid Lyons and Michaelia Cash’s hair, while Sarah Hanson-Young and Christopher Pyne got roughly the same number of votes. Must be an Adelaide thing.