Glitz, glamor and a VERY bold statement from a greenie senator: Australia’s leaders let their hair down at the lavish Midwinter Ball in Canberra – as slimmed down Anthony Albanese arrived in head-to-toe sequins with his girlfriend Jodie
- The Midwinter Ball is taking place for the first time since 2019 following the Covid cancellations
- The glamorous event, where politicians dress up, takes place in Canberra
- Ball brings together Australia’s journalistic, political and business leaders
Politicians in Canberra rarely agree – but it was a different story on Wednesday night as they posed for photos together at the annual Midwinter Ball.
As the biggest social event of the year in the nation’s capital, guests came dressed to the nines for a night out to let off steam.
Due to Covid cancellations, this is the first Midwinter Ball since 2019.
A stripped down Anthony Albanese arrived in head-to-toe sequins with his girlfriend Jodie Haydon.
The ball, at which members of parliament and senators try to refute the theory that politics is show business for ugly people, started in 2000 and is being hosted by the Bundestag’s press gallery.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese (left) and his partner Jodie Haydon (right) looked very glamorous as they arrived in Canberra for the Midwinter Ball
It’s often a source of controversy, however, and this year is no different.
Outspoken Green Senator Lidia Thorpe, who was denied a ticket to the ball, stormed down the marble steps in blue jeans and an Aboriginal flag T-shirt, repeatedly shouting “fossil fools” and sticking out her middle fingers at the assembled guests.
Her colleague Sarah Hanson-Young wore a long white dress with “End Gas and Coal” written on the back.
Sarah Hanson-Young arrives at the Midwinter Ball in a long white dress adorned with a call to end gas and coal.
Senator Thorpe later reappeared shouting, “Stop destroying the planet…criminals”.
Secretary of State Penny Wong and Treasurer Jim Chalmers stayed outside and mingled with the crowd until the event was due to begin.
Anthony Albanese and Opposition Leader Peter Dutton both posed briefly for photos and then quickly charged through the crowd to join the celebrations.
Traditionally held in the third week of June each year, but postponed to spring this year due to the general election in May, the ball brings together Australia’s journalistic, political and business leaders.
There’s more to come.
