Politicians from all sides of the spectrum have traded their usual barbs for ballgowns and black tie to celebrate Canberra’s night of nights: the Midwinter Ball.
The annual event is regarded as the biggest social occasion in the nation’s capital, where politicians from every party and their plus ones rub shoulders with Australia’s corporate bigwigs and pesky journalists.
Modelled on the White House Correspondents’ dinner, the Midwinter Ball is a chance for MPs and senators to try to disprove the theory that politics is showbusiness for ugly people, while raising tens of thousands for charity in the process.
Once attendees have posed in their finery on the grand marble staircase in parliament’s lobby, they are treated to a three-course dinner and cheap wine in the Great Hall where they will be entertained with light-hearted speeches from Anthony Albanese and Sussan Ley.
Items up for grabs in the charity auction include a tennis match at the Lodge with the PM, which at the time of writing has received a bid of $9,500, or the much more attractive prospect of return business class Qantas flights to London or LA, which has attracted a bid of $16,500.
Meanwhile, the Opposition Leader and former sheep shearer is clearly trying to outdo the PM as she is offering a ‘mystery flight and a lunch’ – an experience she promises the lucky bidder will ‘never forget’.
The $200-a-ticket event, which is hosted by the parliamentary press gallery and has been given the theme ‘House of Cards’ this year, is normally held in June but was thrown out of sync by Labor’s landslide at the May election.
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Jacqui Lambie stuns in emerald gown
Tasmanian Senator Jacqui Lambie stuns in a Forever New dress, retailing at just $199.95.
Her choice of green may raise eyebrows, given its striking similarity to the colours of her state’s new AFL team.
While she’s publicly backed the team, she’s also been a prominent opponent of the new stadium’s construction.
Asked if she would be interested in bidding for Opposition Leader’s Sussan Ley’s ‘mystery flight and lunch’ at the charity auction, Senator Lambie was quick to shoot the idea down.
‘Not particularly, no,’ was her characteristically blunt response.
But she showed more enthusiasm for a tennis match with the Prime Minister at the Lodge.
‘Sure, as long as there is a drinks cart, then not a problem,’ she said.
‘In all seriousness, I’m always excited when we can raise heaps of money for charity.’
Treasurer’s Budget blues
Treasurer Jim Chalmers (left) ditched the requested black tie and instead wore a blue number.
The choice perfectly matched the dress of his wife Laura Chalmers (middle left).
They posed alongside fellow colour matched couple Mark Butler (right) and Daniela Ritorto (middle right).
Health Minister Mark Butler (left) and partner Daniela Ritorto (right), both looking chic in black. Ms Ritorto is wearing Aussie designer Acler’s Hawick Maxi Dress, valued at $499.
The country’s ‘first couple’ arrive in style: Anthony Albanese and Jodie Haydon make stunning entrance
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese (right) and his fiance Jodie Haydon (left), who is wearing a gown by Carla Zampatti, which retails for $999.
The couple are set to tie the knot later this year in what they sasid would likely be a ‘quiet wedding’ in the Spring.
What happens in the Great Hall… Media stars join pollies but its strictly microphones down
ABC journalists Patricia Karvellis (left) and Sarah Ferguson (right) were among some of the non-politicans in attendance.
Karvellis is wearing a leather dress from Aussie fashion house Morrison, retailing at $799.
Channel Seven’s political editor Mark Riley (right) was joined by his wife Suzanne Mostyn, the sister of Governor-General Sam Mostyn.
S(teal)ing the show
The so-called ‘Teal Independents’ reject the label of a political party, despite opponents saying the opposite.
The debate didn’t stop Zali Steggall, Kate Chaney, Monique Ryan, Sophie Scamps, Nicolette Boele, and Allegra Spender (left to right) from making a united entrance together on Wednesday night.
The photo was just missing Climate 200 founder Simon Holmes a Court.
Perhaps he’ll make an appearance at the afterparty.
Minister for style
Minister for International Development and Multicultural Affairs, Dr Anne Aly once again stole the show this year in a shimmering gold gown paired with a sequined cape.
She hot-tailed it to Parliament House after an appearance on Afternoon Briefing.
The 58-year-old MP for Cowan in Western Australia had a career as an academic specialising in counter-terrorism before making the leap into politics.
Greens show off wild statement pieces
Greens Leader Larissa Waters (centre) and Senator Steph Hodgins-May (left) both wore love-heart shaped Palestinian earrings, inscribed with ‘always was’ on the right and ‘always will be’ on the left.
Meanwhile, the party’s only remaining lower house MP, Elizabeth Watson-Brown (right), opted for bold statement earrings of her own, though went slightly less political.
Greens Senator Sarah Hanson-Young wore a very striking octopus necklace accompanied by a seaweed-green handbag.
Sussan Ley leads Liberal ball arrivals
Opposition Leader Sussan Ley, kept it simple in a white gown.
A ‘mystery flight and lunch’ offered by Ley herself is one of the prizes at the event’s charity auction.
Ley (centre) arrived flanked by fellow Liberal MPs Melissa McIntosh, Anne Ruston, Mary Aldred, Melissa Price and Zoe McKenzie (left to right).
No Lax-ing on the dress code here
Labor member for Bennelong Jerome Laxale wore the appropiate black tie as he arrived outside the ball shortly before 7pm.
He was accompanied by his partner Jo Taranto, a sustainability educator and speaker.
She wore a dress by designer Daisy-Rose Cooper.
Seeing this dress come to life ahead of the Midwinter Ball at Parliament House in Canberra tonight is deeply emotional. It’s not just about the outfit, it’s about the story of its creation and having a chance to wear my values in a very visible way.
This gown, crafted from reclaimed French linen, eco-printed with fallen eucalyptus leaves, and over-dyed with historic fustic pigment is intentionally designed to spark a conversation about our relationship with nature.
At a critical moment for environmental reform it’s also about celebrating the vital role nature plays in all our lives and our businesses.
As Australia reviews crucial climate targets and nature laws this term, this dress is my quiet call to action; let’s protect the environment with the urgency and climate courage it so clearly deserves.
Auntie is in the building!
ABC managing director Hugh Marks was among the very first arrivals at Parliament’s Marble Foyer with his wife Alexi Baker.
The former nine boss took on the ABC job at the end of last year after he abruptly quit his old network.
Baker is Nine’s former managing director of commercial.
Scrubbing up nicely: Senator dons black tie in the chamber ahead of celebrations
While formalities have yet to officially kick off, one pollie got in ahead of the game.
On Wednesday evening as the Upper House was still sitting, NSW Senator Dave Sharma was spotted wearing his dinner suit to the chamber.
The 49-year-old could be seen grinning from ear to ear, much to the amusement of his Senate colleagues.
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LIVE: Midwinter Ball 2025: Inside Canberra’s night of nights as politicians don ballgowns and black tie on the red carpet for charity fundraiser
