Midwinter ball 2024: Canberra's night of nights begins as politicians gather for charity dinner

Canberra's new hot couple kicked off a fiery Midwinters Ball on Wednesday night, with controversial - and thrifty - dresses capturing attention. 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. 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 came with home affairs minister Clare O'Neill 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. 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. 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.