Midwinter Ball: Anthony Albanese and Jacqui Lambie dress up for Canberra’s social event of the year

After weeks of mudslinging, politicians from across the political spectrum put aside their differences for a night of gentle sledging, glamour and, above all, charity.

They were joined by corporate chiefs and journalists from across the country who braved Canberra’s cold snap to glam up on Wednesday evening for the Midwinter Ball in the Great Hall of Parliament House. 

The night of nights on the political calendar – where MPs and senators try to disprove the theory that politics is showbusiness for ugly people and raise thousands for charity in the process – saw an array of elegant gowns, a bold statement piece and one unfortunate fake tan fail.

But the glow-up of the evening belonged to Independent Senator Jacqui Lambie who turned heads in a black floor-length strapless dress paired with a large silver halter necklace.

Dressed in a sharp tuxedo and sporting a clip-on bowtie, Anthony Albanese grinned next to his partner Jodie Haydon, who was wearing a frilly, long-sleeved black dress from Zimmermann paired with a gold necklace and matching clasp. 

The Prime Minister’s smile belied his irritation that the glamorous do clashed with the second State of Origin match.

Mr Albanese had earlier – half-jokingly – dubbed the scheduling balls-up an ‘act of cruelty’. 

Perhaps in the cold light of day he will see it as an act of charity instead, given his beloved Blues got thumped by the Maroons for the second game in a row handing the series over to Queensland.

It was one of his Labor colleagues who stole the show early on with an outfit that made it very clear which side she will be backing in the Voice to Parliament.

Senator Jana Stewart donned a flowing one-shouldered gown covered in passages from the Uluru Statement From the Heart and the word ‘Yes’, with each taking 45 minutes to embroider. 

Her dress was complemented by a crimson velvet cape with ‘Yes’ emblazoned across it in huge white lettering.

‘Wearing this dress is an opportunity to wear my values and create conversations in circles that aren’t necessarily watching parliament,’ said Senator Stewart. 

The dress’s designer said she wanted the statement piece to stop people scrolling on Instagram in their tracks and prompt them to research the Yes campaign.  

One attendee who may wish people would instead keep scrolling past pictures of her on the night was Vikki Campion, who arrived on the arm of her partner, former Deputy Prime Minister Barnaby Joyce. 

Ms Campion cut a stylish figure in a body-hugging copper dress, which unfortunately appeared to mirror the exact colour of the fake tan lines visible on her feet. 

Meanwhile, Independent Tasmanian Senator and former army corporal Ms Lambie stunned in her ballgown, with admirers taking to social media to compliment her outfit.

One simply wrote: ‘Absolutely beautiful’.

Another said: ‘I didn’t recognize Jacqui Lambie.’

Senator Lambie was spotted rubbing shoulders with deputy Liberal leader Sussan Ley, with both women posing for the cameras arm in arm. 

Black was the shade of choice for many but some took the opportunity to add a splash of colour. 

Aged Care and Sport Minister Anika Wells wore a rented pastel ombre frock, while Queensland Greens senator Larissa Waters dazzled in electric red.

Senator Waters wore a badge with earrings with the message ‘Stop violence against women’ and a badge which read ‘Boys will be boys’ with the final word crossed out and the phrase ‘held accountable’ added.  

This year’s theme was Great Southern Land and the decor within the Hall – as well as a few outfits – paid homage.

Independent member for Kennedy Bob Katter looked dapper in his signature cowboy hat with a purple scarf draped over his shoulders.

Opposition Leader Peter Dutton arrived with his wife Kirilly Dutton who wore a midnight blue dress with a glittery blazer.

Under-fire Minister for Finance Katy Gallagher flashed a smile in a black floor-length sheer dress when she arrived alongside Minister for Agriculture Murray Watt.

Her winning grin was a world away from last week when she was nearly brought to tears in parliament under the onslaught of Liberal criticism and questions about Brittany Higgins’ sexual assault allegations.

Pauline Hanson was one of the few women who opted for a suit, pairing it with a pale yellow top and brooch. 

Senator Stewart’s dress, which was designed by Aboriginal social enterprise Clothing the Gaps, took a team of four people to help her put it on. 

Clothing the Gaps co-founder Laura Thompson was Senator Stewart’s plus one and will help carry the dress’s long train. 

‘Jana and her dress will stop people on their Instagram scroll,’ Ms Thompson told Nine newspapers.

‘Hopefully, then people will decide to learn more (about the Voice).’

Senator Stewart clearly took inspiration from last year where Greens’ Senator Sarah Hanson-Young arrived wearing a long white dress with ‘End gas and coal’ written on the back of it – a direct criticism of 2022’s sponsors Shell and Woodside Energy. 

Greens MP Adam Bandt, and his partner Claudia Perkins also caused a stir last year, the first to be held since 2019 because of Covid.

Ms Perkins had ‘coal kills and ‘gas kills’ written in black and red all over her otherwise white dress. 

The messages were thought to be inspired by US Senator Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez’s 2021, who wore a striking white dress with ‘Tax the Rich’ written on it. 

This year, however, Senator Hanson-Young kept it uncontroversial in a shimmering brown and gold dress alongside her husband Ben Oquist who wore a navy suit and black bow tie. 

The Midwinter ball raises hundreds of thousands of dollars for various charities each year, with $350,000 raised at last year’s event.

That was split between Rural Aid Australia, OzHarvest, Fearless Women, Roundabout Canberra, Pink Elephants and Ukraine, Ukrainian Crisis Appeal.

Some $362,000 has been raised for charity this year so far. 

Notable absences were Coalition Senator Jacinta Price and independent Senator Lidia Thorpe, who last year 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 Climate Change and Energy Chris Bowen also skipped the function.