Midwinter ball 2024: Canberra's night of nights begins as politicians gather for charity dinner

Politics' night of nights has arrived after a long year of slinging mud across the floor, with the who's who of Capital Hill putting on their glad rags and sitting down for a formal dinner in the name of charity.

The Midwinter Ball is one of few occasions politicians put their differences aside and come together to raise money for those in need, hobnobbing with corporate chiefs and journalists in the process.

On Wednesday night, the nation's leaders descended upon the Great Hall in Parliament House, braving the notorious Canberra chill in glamorous gowns and sharp tuxedos.

The annual event signals the beginning of parliament's long awaited five-week winter break.

This year Josh Burns used the midwinter ball to debut his long rumoured relationship with Animal Justice League Mp Georgie Purcell. 

The Jewish Labor MP recently separated from his wife, and sparked romance rumours with the staunchly pro-Palestine Purcell in April. 

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and his fiancée Jodie Haydon arrived just before 7:30pm and immediately began smiling and posing for photographs. 

Mr Albanese wore a black tux with a tie while Ms Haydon upcycled her dress from last year.

Melbourne designer Lucy Laurita restyled the dress with sustainable fashion in mind.

The designer is known for designing and manufacturing in Australia - a link to albo’s future made in Australia legislation. 

The couple walked straight to hug the Chalmers before posing for more photos.

Lidia Thorpe arrived in a Palestine dress - ‘from the river to the sea’ embroidered down the front.

Jim and Laura Chalmers arrived arm in arm with Ms Chalmers in a baby blue dress with rhinestones.

Jaquie Lambie who stole the show last year has done it again in bedazzled blue gown, hair slicked up in a top knot, big chunky necklace.

She stopped halfway down the stairs and posed for photos. 

Teal MP Monique Ryan came in rocking a teal dress sticking to her colours. 

Greens senators Larissa Walters and Dorinda Cox came with statements of their own in the form of props brought along to the ball. 

 Ms Cox arrived in a black sequin dress with a purse printed with 'Truth and Justice Now' in reference to Aboriginal equality. 

Ms Walters was spotted sporting some large pink earrings advocating for her pro-choice abortion stance.

This year Labor is hanging for the break provided by the ball more than usual, after the actions of first-term Senator Fatima Payman - and the prime minister's handling of the incident - overshadowed the government's long-awaited cost of living measures.

Ms Payman crossed the floor to side with the Greens on a motion to recognise the state of Palestine, setting into motion a chain of events which culminated on Sunday with her indefinite suspension from the partyroom.

Mr Albanese's failure to decide upon her punishment swiftly dragged the chaos into a second sitting week.

And Ms Payman has enjoyed sweeping support for her decision outside of the Labor party, opting to vote with her conscience and risking her career in the process rather than toeing the party line.

The 29-year-old is weighing up her future. 

Journalists have been frothing over the saga but none who appeared at the ball this year spent any time on the topic, instead opting to mingle with politicians. 

ABC's Annabel Crabb came in a short silver dress and Nine editors Tony Maguire and Luke McIlveen entered in low-key outfits for the occasion. 

Some members have historically used the evening to make statements, like last year when Labor Senator Jana Stewart donned a white ballgown covered in passages 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 lettering: 'Gas kills, coal kills'.

That same year, independent Senator Lidia Thorpe stormed down the marble stairs in blue jeans and an Aboriginal flag t-shirt repeatedly screaming 'fossil fools' and extending her middle fingers to the assembled guests. 

The Midwinter ball raises hundreds of thousands of dollars for various charities each year, with $360,000 raised at last year's event.

Some notable charities who have received the funds in recent years are Rural Aid Australia, OzHarvest, Fearless Women, Roundabout Canberra, Pink Elephants and the Ukrainian Crisis Appeal.

Notable absences at the 2023 event were Coalition Senator Jacinta Price and  Senator Thorpe.