Midwinter Ball: All the guests
Less than 24 hours ago the Coalition and the Greens met to hand over Labour’s moderate gambling ad crackdown to another committee.
So you’d think not a single member of the Albanian government would be caught dead sitting at a table sponsored by none other than Sportstbet at Canberra’s annual Midwinter Ball. But you are wrong!
Imagine our amusement when we found out Hunter was a Labor MP. Daniel Reppaccholi and his wife, Alex ReppaccholiWhile looking for tickets to the annual Met Gala for ugly people in Canberra on Wednesday evening, he decided to accept Sportsbet’s hospitality. A group of staff members were also about to sit at the table and Kai CantwellChairman of the Responsible Betting Australia gambling lobby. Can you imagine what the conversation was like at that table? No thanks.
The media union took action early. Early arrivals included: Chris Doreeditor-in-chief Western Australia and other publishing toys from Southern Cross Media. Dorey rallied alone. Also on hand was the ABC president for the first gates Kim Williams And Doctor Lisa Caffery.
Peter TonaghThe president of Nine Entertainment (the owner of this imprint) also attended for the charity. Beverley McGarveyHe’s the local boss of Paramount, which owns Network 10. News Corp Australia’s local boss Michael Millerwith former corporate affairs officer Campbell Reidhe also journeyed south to kneel.
Old habits seem hard to die for the attorney general Michelle RowlandShe came with her husband in a white dress and gold shoes on Wednesday evening. Michael Chaaya on your arm The former communications minister was hosted by the Free TV lobby group at this year’s ball, which introduced him to TV bosses he used to host.
As regular readers of this column will no doubt recall, the intrigue heading into Wednesday evening focused less on some of the big names preparing to show their faces to the prom and more on the swelling list of politicians who have decided to miss the prom this year.
But the political unity, although a little weak, was still reliable. Minister of Finance Katy Gallagher She came to pose for the cameras in a black dress with her daughter. EvieShe wears pink, they both wear clothes from the Aje brand.
The liberal pioneer came with his sons coby And Byronarm in arm She was wearing a dress bought in a Penrith shop. McIntosh said: “The shop was full of ballroom dance dresses and prom dresses. I’m always keen to support small businesses on our high streets.” We bet! Meanwhile, the Minister of Social Services Tanya Plibersek She arrived with her husband and the NSW Treasurer in a black off-the-shoulder dress Michael Coutts-TrotterWe undoubtedly feel a little lighter following the announcement of last week’s state budget.
A group of Liberal moderates then entered the foyer. Jane Hume wore a brown dress that she surprisingly didn’t want to talk about, except to say that it was only purchased online. Don’t be shy, senator! He stopped to take a photo with the senator Anne Ruston and shadow minister for the environment Angie Bell.
Former SBS reporter Daniela Ritorto Minister of Health on her husband’s arm Mark Butler She gifted us the first Acler dress of the night. The Australian company has recently become a regular at Midwinter Balls. The rich green of a translucent knit jersey dress is a nod to winter, while peep-toe shoes are a bold choice for Canberra in July.
Expect more Acler to be sprinkled among Rebecca Vallance and Carla Zampatti dresses as the evening progresses.
Treasurer reliably joined the ball late Jim ChalmersHe wears a black tie next to his wife Laura ChalmersShe was wearing a powder pink dress that showed off her shoulders. The Minister of Housing also followed them Clare O’NeilHe entered the foyer wearing Effie Katz, whom he chose for one simple reason: “I liked the color.” He said he was looking forward to some “closed, closed, off-the-record conversations” and wanted to see if that would happen. Angus Taylor can live until Susan Ley “a crack in a conversation” last year. He was followed by the National MP leader Darren Chester and his wife, Julie Chester.
Greens Hot Senator Sarah Hanson-YoungMeanwhile, the lobbyist came with her husband in a red lace dress Ben Oquist on the arm She said she chose her dress because it was a small boutique designer and an Australian brand, and that she was looking forward to “making fun of the Prime Minister’s speech”.
Then came the teals, who took the ball as a united front despite their hesitancy to join the new Strong Society Australia party. Party founders Zali Steggall And Allegra Spender They had to take a selfie before being asked what they were wearing. Steggall pulled her overalls from the back of her closet, we’re told, and was wearing Spending’s mother’s brand, Carla Zampatti.
Spending said it was “nice” to wear her mother’s brand and that she was very proud of it. Meanwhile Nicolette BoeleShe was wearing an $18 black sequined dress from Vinnies in the Sydney suburb of Chatswood, who has yet to announce her arrival at the party. His bag was $5, we confirm.
Later in the evening, the Leader of the Opposition Angus Taylor He came to the marble foyer with his wife, Louise Clegg. No doubt the Liberal Party leader has had a field day brainstorming how he can outshine his predecessor Susan LeyLast year, he brought the house down by bringing his address to the room.
Then came a handful of Labor MPs: Sally Sitou Stopped to take a photo with the Minister of Labor Amanda Rishworthwho was with you Sam MarlesHe was there with his father and the Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles. The Prime Minister soon followed them. Anthony AlbaneseHe wears a bow tie and his wife Jodie HaydonShe was wearing a floral dress by Australian designer Leo Lin.
John Buckley is the CBD columnist for The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age.Connect via email.
Fiona Byrne is the CBD columnist for The Age and The Sydney Morning Herald.Connect via email.
