The night of all nights for politics has arrived after a long year of mud-slinging, with Capitol Hill’s biggest names putting on their finest clothes and sitting down to a formal dinner in the name of charity.
The Midwinter Ball is one of the rare occasions when politicians put aside their differences and come together to raise money for the needy, rubbing shoulders with corporate bosses and journalists in the process.
On Wednesday night, the nation’s leaders flocked to Parliament’s Great Hall, braving Canberra’s famously cold weather in glamorous gowns and elegant tuxedos.
The annual event marks the beginning of Parliament’s long-awaited five-week winter recess.
Prime Minister Anthony arrived shortly before 7.30am, posing together and smiling before rushing off to greet the Chalmers.
Canberra’s hottest new couple Josh Burns and Animal Justice League MP Georgie Purcell debuted their relationship at the ball
The night of nights for politics has arrived with this year’s Midwinter Ball, which attracted politicians from all parties, including Lidia Thorpe, who arrived in a Palestine-themed dress.
This year, Josh Burns took advantage of the Midwinter Ball to debut his long-rumored relationship with Animal Justice League deputy Georgie Purcell.
The Jewish Labour MP recently separated from his wife and in April sparked rumours of an affair with Purcell, a staunchly pro-Palestinian woman.
Lidia Thorpe arrived wearing a Palestinian dress that had the phrase “From the river to the sea” embroidered on the front.
Jim and Laura Chalmers arrived arm in arm with Mrs. Chalmers in a baby blue rhinestone dress.
Jaquie Lambie, who stole the show last year, has done it again in a dazzling blue dress, her hair pulled back into a high bun and a large necklace.
She stopped halfway up the stairs and posed for photos.
Teal Rep. Monique Ryan arrived wearing a teal dress matching her colors.
Green Senators Larissa Walters and Dorinda Cox came with their own statements in the form of props they brought to the ball.
Ms Cox arrived in a black sequin dress and carrying a handbag with the phrase ‘Truth and Justice Now’ printed on it in reference to Aboriginal equality.
Ms Walters was seen wearing large pink earrings that defended her pro-choice stance.
Jim Chalmers arrived on the arm of his wife Laura, who arrived in a baby blue dress with rhinestones.
This year, Labor is looking forward to the break the ball offers, after the actions of first-term senator Fatima Payman – and the prime minister’s handling of the incident – overshadowed long-awaited government measures on the cost of living.
Ms Payman crossed the floor to side with the Greens on a motion to recognise the state of Palestine, setting off a chain of events that culminated in her indefinite suspension from the party room on Sunday.
Mr Albanese’s failure to decide on his punishment quickly dragged chaos into a second week of sessions.
And Ms Payman has enjoyed widespread support for her decision outside the Labour Party, choosing to vote her conscience and risk her career in the process rather than toe the party line.
The 29-year-old is weighing her future.
Journalists have been abuzz with the saga, but none of those who appeared at this year’s ball devoted time to the topic, preferring instead to mingle with the politicians.
ABC’s Annabel Crabb arrived in a short silver dress and Nine editors Tony Maguire and Luke McIlveen were dressed in understated attire for the occasion.
ABC journalist Annabel Crabb arrived in a chic silver dress and black jacket.
Some members have historically used the evening to make statements, such as last year when Labor senator Jana Stewart wore a white ball gown covered with excerpts from the Uluru statement.
In 2022, Greens leader Adam Bandt’s partner Claudia Perkins was used as a billboard for her views on environmental policies, with giant letters reading “Gas kills, coal kills”.
That same year, independent senator Lidia Thorpe stormed down the marble steps dressed in blue jeans and a T-shirt emblazoned with the Aboriginal flag, repeatedly shouting “fools” and extending her middle fingers towards the assembled guests.
Green Senators Larissa Walters and Dorinda Cox came with their own statements in the form of accessories they wore to the ball.
Ms Cox arrived in a black sequin dress and carrying a handbag printed with ‘Truth and Justice Now’ in reference to Aboriginal equality.
The Midwinter Ball raises hundreds of thousands of dollars for various charities each year, with last year’s event raising $360,000.
Notable charities that have received funding in recent years include Rural Aid Australia, OzHarvest, Fearless Women, Roundabout Canberra, Pink Elephants and the Ukrainian Crisis Appeal.
Notable absentees from the 2023 event were Coalition Senator Jacinta Price and Senator Thorpe.