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Midwinter Ball: Glammed-up politicians attend Canberra’s night of nights to raise money for charity

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Kimberley CainesThe West Australian
Glammed-up politicians, business corporates and journalists have descended on Parliament House for Canberra’s night of nights to raise thousands of dollars for charity.
Camera IconGlammed-up politicians, business corporates and journalists have descended on Parliament House for Canberra’s night of nights to raise thousands of dollars for charity. Credit: AAP

Glammed-up politicians, corporate elites and journalists have descended on Parliament House for Canberra’s night of nights to raise hundreds of thousands of dollars for charity.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and his fiance Jodie Haydon are among the high-profile attendees of the annual Midwinter Ball on Wednesday night with one anonymous person bidding more than $25,000 as part of the charity auction to have a meal with the pair.

The ball started with all eyes on which fashion labels were being worn.

Ms Haydon graced the marble foyer in a black sequin gown on arrival.

WA Labor MP Anne Aly stole the show in a statement piece she crocheted as a tribute to remember women lost to domestic violence.

CANBERRA, AUSTRALIA - JULY 03: (L-R) Treasurer Jim Chalmers, Laura Chalmers, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and partner Jodie Haydon arrive at the Midwinter Ball at Parliament House on July 03, 2024 in Canberra, Australia. The annual Mid Winter Ball is a ticketed event hosted by the Federal Parliamentary Press Gallery. (Photo by Tracey Nearmy/Getty Images)
Camera IconTreasurer Jim Chalmers, Laura Chalmers, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and partner Jodie Haydon arrive at the Midwinter Ball. Credit: Tracey Nearmy/Getty Images

The black crochet dress is covered with a colourful riot of flowers with every bloom different, each representing one of the 64 women killed last year at the hands of violent partners.

Independent Senator Lidia Thorpe wore a white dress, which was emblazoned with pro-Palestinian slogans.

Greens Leader Larissa Waters arrived wearing “pro choice” earrings, while WA Senator Dorinda Cox added a “truth & justice now” clutch bag.

Since 2022, the nation’s leaders and their partners have used the event to promote their political views.

Minister for Youth of Australia Anne Aly.
Camera IconMinister for Youth of Australia Anne Aly. Credit: Tracey Nearmy/Getty Images
CANBERRA, AUSTRALIA - JULY 03: Opposition leader Peter Dutton and Kirilly Dutton arrive at the Midwinter Ball at Parliament House on July 03, 2024 in Canberra, Australia. The annual Mid Winter Ball is a ticketed event hosted by the Federal Parliamentary Press Gallery. (Photo by Tracey Nearmy/Getty Images)
Camera IconOpposition leader Peter Dutton and Kirilly Dutton. Credit: Tracey Nearmy/Getty Images

Two years ago, the ball was notable for the anti-coal and gas messages adorning the gowns of Greens senator Sarah Hanson-Young and Claudia Perkins, partner of the party’s leader Adam Bandt.

Last year, Labor senator Jana Stewart used fashion to raise awareness of the Voice, with a gown embroidered with “Yes” and words from the Uluru Statement from the Heart.

The ball, hosted by the Federal Parliamentary Press Gallery, has this year raised more than $360,000. The total raised over the lifetime of the ball is more than $5.5 million.

This year’s charities include the Salvation Army’s domestic violence support service, Fitted For Work, the Humour Foundation, Frontier Services: Outback Links and ACT Pet Crisis Support.

Senator Lidia Thorpe arrives at the Midwinter Ball.
Camera IconSenator Lidia Thorpe arrives at the Midwinter Ball. Credit: Tracey Nearmy/Getty Images
CANBERRA, AUSTRALIA - JULY 03: Leader of the Greens in the Senate of Australia Larissa Waters arrives at the Midwinter Ball at Parliament House on July 03, 2024 in Canberra, Australia. The annual Mid Winter Ball is a ticketed event hosted by the Federal Parliamentary Press Gallery. (Photo by Tracey Nearmy/Getty Images)
Camera IconLeader of the Greens in the Senate of Australia Larissa Waters. Credit: Tracey Nearmy/Getty Images

A last-minute flurry of bids on Wednesday pushed the price for the meal at the Lodge or Kirribilli House with the Prime Minister and Ms Haydon up to $25,432.

Opposition Leader Peter Dutton’s offer of dinner with him and two of his colleagues at one of Canberra’s finest restaurants attracted a bid of $12,000.

Qantas also offered two business class tickets to London or Los Angeles, which topped all auction prizes and went for $16,200.

CANBERRA, AUSTRALIA - JULY 03: Member of the Australian House of Representatives Michelle Rowland arrives at the Midwinter Ball at Parliament House on July 03, 2024 in Canberra, Australia. The annual Mid Winter Ball is a ticketed event hosted by the Federal Parliamentary Press Gallery. (Photo by Tracey Nearmy/Getty Images)
Camera IconMember of the Australian House of Representatives Michelle Rowland. Credit: Tracey Nearmy/Getty Images
Labor MP Josh Burns and partner Georgie Purcell arrive for the 2024 Midwinter Ball at Parliament House in Canberra, Wednesday, July 3, 2024. (AAP Image/Lukas Coch) NO ARCHIVING
Camera IconLabor MP Josh Burns and partner Georgie Purcell. Credit: LUKAS COCH/AAPIMAGE

Mr Albanese and Mr Bandt will be sitting on one of the front tables with their partners, while Mr Dutton and Nationals Leader David Littleproud will be on another in the Great Hall.

On the menu, there is wagyu beef carpaccio or champagne poached chicken for entree, char-grilled Humpty Doo barramundi fillet or roasted Armidale lamb loin for main, and red velvet roulade for dessert.

The event includes performances and speeches by the Prime Minister and Opposition Leader.

The prestigious Press Gallery Journalist of the Year award will also be handed to one deserving journalist at the ball.

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