Australia’s political leaders took a break from ambiguously answering questions and patting themselves on the back to doll up for Wednesday evening’s Midwinter Ball.
The ball is an opportunity for fierce political opponents to put away their differences, glam up and raise funds for charities alongside the nation’s business elites and media minglers.
From stunning dresses to classic suits and even the hard launch of a relationship, the ball showcased the who’s who of Aussie politics in their finest forms.
Leading the country and donning a classic black suit and tie was Prime Minister Anthony Albanese arriving hand-in-hand with his glamorous fiance Jodie Haydon.
Opposition Leader Peter Dutton followed suit with an unorthodox tux and tie combo, while his wife Kirilly went her own way sporting a frilly pink number.
While not quite so politically elite, the talk of the evening was the unlikely match-up between pro-Israel Jewish Labor MP Josh Burns and pro-Palestine Animal Justice Party MP Georgie Purcell.
The pair’s hard launch drew plenty of attention with Mr Burns rocking a black tux and purple bow-tie combo with Ms Purcell matching with a black strapless number.
And it wasn’t just politicians shining at the ball with actress Rachel Griffiths spotted alongside Minister for Home Affairs Clare O’Neil.
Flaunting some feathers and certainly peacocking was the elegant Jacqui Lambie in a bright blue gown, while Nationals leader David Littleproud followed the tux trend with his partner Amelia Dobson stunning in a marigold yellow dress.
Of course, it’s not a political ball without some politics and the usual suspects took the photo op in their stride with bold feminist, pro-Palestine and climate change statements.
Independent Senator Lidia Thorpe certainly looked to make her mark with a white dress reading “from the river to the sea, Palestine will be free”, while Greens Senator Dorinda Cox rocked a sequin dress with a bag that said “truth and justice now”.
Greens senate leader Larissa Waters chose abortion as the political agenda of the evening with her ‘pro choice’ earrings, while Labor MP Anne Aly’s floral dress went after violence against women.
And the Teal Wave was certainly that as the gals gathered to flaunt their stylish frocks in a glamorous pic.
More of the independent pollies stunned with David Pocock for once putting on a tie while political veteran Bob Katter rocked his iconic maroon scarf.
Putting aside the rivalries wasn’t just for the MPs with Sky News’ own Peta Credlin copping a snap with the ABC’s Sarah Ferguson.
This ball raised more than $360,000, with $25,432 bided for dinner with Mr Albanese and Ms Haydon at Kirribilli House and another $12,000 put up for dinner with Dutton and two of his Coalition counterparts at a fine restaurant in Canberra, according to The West Australian.
Qantas also helped with the donations, offering up two business class tickets to London or Los Angeles, going for $16,200.
This year’s donations brought the total to more than $5 million in the ball’s lifetime.