Canberra’s Midwinter Ball best dressed revealed – and one glamorous guest only spent $60 on her head-turning gown

Australia’s political heavyweights put their best foot forward on Wednesday night at the Midwinter Ball in Canberra.

Thigh-length slits, glittering sequins and plunging necklines were popular among the ladies, with some having a greater eye for flashy outfits than others.

Political commentator Peta Credlin, human rights lawyer Jennifer Robinson, Bill Shorten’s daughter Georgette and Jim Chalmers’ wife Laura were all among the evening’s best dressed attendees.

Liberal Party Vice Leader Sussan Ley, Independent politician Helen Haines and Animal Justice Party’s Georgie Purcell were not far behind with their beautiful dresses.

Georgette shorten

Bill Shorten’s 21-year-old daughter stole the show in her glamorous outfit.

The young blonde showed the party venue how to look daring yet stylish in a shiny silver dress with a plunging neckline.

She also proved that you don’t have to spend a fortune to look good: her dress cost $60 at Zara.

Georgette kept her accessories simple, wearing old gold dangling earrings and a sparkly clutch.

She wore an on-trend shag coat and completed the look with bright red nails for a pop of colour.

Her hair was put up and a few loose curls hung loosely around her face.

Jennifer Robinson

Human rights lawyer Jennifer Robinson, who has been called Julian Assange’s savior, looked angelic in a cream floor-length dress by Zimmermann.

The Victorian-style satin dress cost $1,500 and featured long sleeves and a neatly finished neckline.

The 43-year-old opted to wear a light gold belt and accessorised with three dainty bracelets and simple pointed toe shoes to complete the look.

She wore her blonde hair in a bun and created a natural, radiant look with her latest trend-led makeup.

Georgie Purcell

Georgie Purcell, 30, a member of the Animal Justice League, took a gamble by opting for a dramatic black dress with a thigh-length slit.

The sleeveless satin dress allowed the Victorian politician to show off her heavily tattooed arms and legs.

Georgie wore her hair slicked back in an ode to the 2022 ephemeral wet-look trend, and opted for a simple gold necklace and earrings.

She completed her look with a pair of striking ultramarine heels.

Fans also couldn’t help but notice Georgie’s other accessory, his new partner, Labour MP Josh Burns, who clung to her arm like a sleek clutch for the photos.

Peta Credlin

Peta Credlin proved she’s still the man to call with the night’s most expensive outfit: a stunning $1,300 sleeveless dress by Australian designer Rebecca Vallance and statement Cartier rings.

The political commentator exuded a relaxed, confident demeanor as she smiled for the cameras.

The 54-year-old opted for an on-trend natural makeup look and wore her hair in loose curls.

The stunning outfit was neatly finished off with a beautiful gold watch and clutch.

Susan Ley

The Liberal Party vice-leader shone in a figure-hugging velvet dress by Australian designer Carla Zampatti.

The $1,050 dress draped beautifully over the 62-year-old’s shoulders, hovering just above the floor.

A striking gold hammered button accentuated the asymmetrical neckline, adding an interesting touch to the otherwise classic look.

Sussan opted for understated accessories and one pair of large gold hoops that perfectly matched the gold button on her dress.

She opted for loose curls and a pair of simple black heels to complete the look.

Amelia Dobson

Bank manager Amelia Dobson stood out for all the right reasons in her stunning buttercup yellow dress.

The 38-year-old, who attended the ball with her long-term partner David Littleproud, stood out as one of the best-dressed women there.

She wore her hair in tight curls and didn’t wear any extra accessories that evening.

Helen Haines

Independent MP Helen Haines also looked stunning in a gold dress as she attended the ball.

She wore a thick gold bracelet and wrapped a black fur stole around her shoulders to keep out the cold.

The 62-year-old wore her gray-blond hair loose, but had it blow-dried with a heavy blowout for the evening.

Laura Chalmers

Laura Chalmers made sure all eyes were on her when she showed off her style credentials in a $3,375 ensemble as she posed alongside her husband, Treasurer Jim Chalmers.

The journalist wore a $1,500 light blue Rebecca Vallance dress that had been altered to better suit the mother of two’s taste.

She opted to keep her accessories to a minimum, carrying a $150 Oroton clutch. The look was completed with a pair of $1,725 ​​beige Le Silla pumps.

She wore her long blonde hair down for the event and added a bold lipstick to her otherwise natural makeup look.