Canberra’s new hot couple kicked off a fiery Midwinters Ball on Wednesday night, with controversial – and thrifty – dresses capturing attention.
Josh Burns used the annual glitzy get-together to hard launch his long-rumoured relationship with Animal Justice League MP Georgie Purcell, who showed off her array of tattoos in a daring black gown with a thigh-high split.
The Jewish Labor MP recently separated from his wife, and sparked romance rumours with staunchly pro-Palestine Ms Purcell in April.
It was Ms Purcell’s first time in the capital and she said it was a ‘relief to be honest’ that Mr Burns was there with her.
Never one to shy away from controversy, Lidia Thorpe arrived in a pro-Palestine dress with the divisive phrase ‘from the river to the sea’ embroidered down the front. Her white frock also had a blood-stained look at the bottom and her bag said ‘Love Harder’.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and his fiancée Jodie Haydon arrived just before 7.30pm and immediately began smiling and posing for photographs.
Keen to avoid negative attention during the ongoing cost of living crisis Mr Albanese wore a simple black suit while Ms Haydon upcycled her sparkling dress from 2022.
Melbourne designer Lucy Laurita restyled the dress with sustainable fashion in mind.
Canberra’s hot new couple Josh Burns and Animal Justice League MP Georgie Purcell debuted their relationship at the ball
Politics’ night of nights has arrived with this year’s Midwinter Ball drawing in politicians from all sides including Lidia Thorpe who came in a Palestine-themed dress
Just before 7:30pm Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and his fiancée Jodie Haydon arrived with Ms Haydon’s dress being upcycled from her 2022 appearance at the ball
Ms Haydon upcycled her dress from two years ago. In 2022 left, and 2024 right
The couple walked straight to hug Chalmers and his wife before posing for more photos.
Opposition leader Peter Dutton was also present with his wife Kirilly, who donned a pink silk full length dress believed to be from ME+EM, which costs $1,450.
Jim and Laura Chalmers arrived arm-in-arm with Ms Chalmers in a baby blue dress with rhinestones.
Jim Chalmers arrived arm in arm with his wife Laura who came in a baby blue dress with rhinestones
The prime minister (right) and fiancee Jodie Haydon )seocnd right) posed for photos with Treasurer Jim Chalmers and his wife Laura
Ms Chalmers poured her slender frame into a powder blue Rebecca Vallance gown worth a staggering $1,500.
The sleek number features a rounded neckline, cinched waist and princess seams to enhance her trim physique, before falling into a column skirt.
It appears Ms Chalmers wasn’t a fan of the original design and opted for alterations on the night, ditching the short cape sleeves which featured an embellished feather design.
The journalist opted to keep her accessories to a minimum at the event, carrying her valuables in an Oroton clutch valued at $150.
Ms Chalmers appeared to finish her head-turning ensemble in a pair of Le Silla beige ‘Nicole’ pumps made from transparent mesh with a pointed-toe silhouette.
The Italian-made footwear adorned with sparkling crystals retail for $1,725.
Opposition leader Peter Dutton arrived with his wife Kirilly who wore a pink silk gown believed to be from ME+EM, which costs $1,450
Jaquie Lambie, who stole the show last year, looked ethereal yet again in a bedazzling blue feathered gown, with her hair slicked up in a top knot and accessorised with a big chunky necklace and blue clutch
Sky News host Peta Credlin dazzled in a multi-coloured, sparkling dress
Jaquie Lambie, who stole the show last year, looked ethereal yet again in a bedazzling blue gown, with her hair slicked up in a top knot while wearing a 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.
Senator Cox arrived in a black sequin dress with a purse printed with ‘Truth and Justice Now’ in reference to Aboriginal equality.
Senator Walters was spotted sporting some large pink earrings advocating for her pro-choice abortion stance.
Minister for National Disability Insurance Scheme Bill Shorten came with his daughter Georgette, 22, who he called a ‘stunner’ in her chic champagne dress.
Minister for NDIS Bill Shorten came with his daughter Georgette who wore a chic champagne dress
Teals Monique Ryan, Allegra Spender, Zali Steggall, Kylea Tink, Zoe Daniel, Kate Chaney and Sophie Scamps joined for a group photo on the staircase
Nationals leader David Littleproud and his wife Amelia came dressed in simple attire with Mr Littleproud in a bow tie and his wife in a vibrant yellow dress
Senator Sarah Hanson-Young brought her partner Ben Oquist as her date
Australian actor Rachel Griffiths (left) came with home affairs minister Clare O’Neill (right)
Minster for Industry and Science Ed Husic came with his fiancée Fiona Scott
Independent Member for Indi Helen Haines and her husband Phil were dressed classically for the ball
The Midwinter Ball was 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.
The annual event signals the beginning of parliament’s long awaited five-week winter break.
This year Labor was hanging for the reprieve 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 party room.
Mr Shorten and his daughter were seen chatting with Minister for Environment and Water Tanya Plibersek and her husband Michael Coutts-Trotter
Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles attended the ball with his daughter Isabella
ABC journalist Annabel Crabb came in a slick silver dress and black blazer
Member of the House of Representatives Melissa McIntosh came with her son Byron
Shadow Minister for International Development Michael McCormack and his wife Catherine Shaw came arm-in-arm
Nationals member Keith Pitt and Liberal member Karen Andrews joined forces for the night
Attorney-General Mark Dreyfus was seen with his niece Fee Chemke-Dreyfus
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.
Minister for Youth Anne Aly wore a knitted flowery sash
Ms Aly’s silk throw over was embroidered on the back with domestic violence statistics from 2024
Minister for Sports Anika Wells was photographed with Parramatta MP Andrew Charlton
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 equiality
Minister for Climate Change Chris Bowen brought his son Max along with him
Minister for Resources Madeleine King celebrated in silver shiny shoes while her husband Jamie wore a kilt
Minister for Social Services Amanda Rishworth and Speaker Milton Dick posed together
Deputy leader of the Liberals Sussan Ley wore a midnight velvet semi-shoulderless dress which was stamped with a large gold broach
The Midwinter ball raises hundreds of thousands of dollars for various charities each year, with $360,000 raised both this year and last.
It has raised $5 million over its lifetime of 25 years and more than 640 guests attended the 2024 Midwinter Ball.
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.