Politicians and media gather for Canberra’s Midwinter Ball– as it happened

There you have it, folks. Jim Chalmers came out of the gate hot appearing to turn the world upside down by opting for a traditional tie instead of a bow tie, but after that, it was bow ties all the way.

In quite a shift from previous years, Georgie Purcell of the Animal Justice party was the only MP to make a political statement at tonight’s Midwinter Ball, with her gown calling for dog racing to be defunded.

There were sequins. There was fur (whether fake or real). There were pantsuits. That’s Canberra, baby. With that, we will wrap the blog for the evening, but until tomorrow, here were today’s major developments:

• The KPMG scandal has engulfed the Westpac board, with one of the big bank’s directors, Peter Nash, resigning effective today.

• Last month was the fifth-hottest June on record for Australia and the second hottest for New South Wales, according to data released by the Bureau of Meteorology.

• The NSW Liberal leader, Kellie Sloane, said “serious allegations” of corruption should be thoroughly investigated after the state’s watchdog announced it would hold public hearings into allegations against figures associated with her party.

• And Greens senator Sarah Hanson-Young said the government’s gambling reforms don’t go nearly far enough, and confirmed her party has been talking with the Coalition to potentially team up to force stronger action from Labor.

Back in black

Consider this an appreciation post for Dorinda Cox’s bag. What a beautiful bag, and who said bags couldn’t be whimsical and fun? She is pictured here with fellow Labor senator, Jana Stewart.

While we’re on the topic of black gowns, here’s the emergency management minister, Kristy McBain. She’s all smiles and on the move with her husband, Brad.

Earlier, we brought you a slightly chaotic, in motion picture of Jane Hume, but this group shot featuring the deputy leader really allows her outfit to shine. I think I will actually give her second best of the night.

She’s pictured here with the shadow health minister, Anne Ruston, and Liberal MP Angie Bell. I love to see the embrace not just of sequins, but of fur. There’s no such thing as too much, in my book.

And best-dressed goes to …

OK, Anne Aly! I’ve been biding my time to crown tonight’s best-dressed woman, and I think I’ve found it.

I love this look – it’s different, it’s refreshing, it’s elevated. The necklace perfectly matches the bracelet, and the pop of blue colour is tying everything together.

Her dress perfectly matches her shoes. And the straps to her dress aren’t just straps to her dress, they’re telling a story. These are the little details that make a look stand out – details I have picked up as an avid watcher of RuPaul’s Drag Race.

The shadow minister for communications, Sarah Henderson, has opted for a classic look tonight, and you really can’t go wrong with the classics. Her floor-length velvet gown is matched by silver shoes, bag, earrings and brooch. That’s what I call colour coordination.

Isn’t it nice to see politicians bringing their children along to the Midwinter Ball, presumably as some sort of rare and unique punishment.

Here we have the minister for finance, Katy Gallagher, with her daughter Evie, who is wearing a gorgeous ruffled pastel pink dress. Pink may be the colour of the evening. Gallagher is keeping it cool in all black.

Stepping out

More group photos!

The former “teal” independents and current members of the newly launched Community Strong Australia party, Zali Steggall and Allegra Spender, have been papped alongside current independents Kate Chaney, Monique Ryan, Sophie Scamps and Nicolette Boele.

Steggall is serving “Gladiator” in a satiny dark red gown, while Scamps is making a real statement in a dark orange (One Nation defection coming?). I’m sure they’ll all have much to talk about this evening.

And here we have Labor senators Sue Lines, Jenny McAllister, Jana Stewart, Ellie Whiteaker, Nita Green, Dorinda Cox and Charlotte Walker embracing their moment on the staircase.

PM gets the blues

Drumroll, please.

The prime minister has arrived, and knock me over with a feather, he’s wearing a blue jacket. I’ve already given out best dressed, though, and I won’t be reneging it. Anthony Albanese’s wife, Jodie Haydon, is looking very lovely in a floor-length flowery number. I’m very much enjoying the pastel splashes of colour.

Just like the opposition leader, Angus Taylor, the PM is also team bow tie all the way. If I see another man in a tie this evening, I’ll be shocked.

All together now

We’ve got our first group shot of the evening, and it looks exactly like every terrible family photo I’ve been in at Christmas. Almost nobody is looking at the camera (Anne Aly appears to be mid-conversation with someone in the background), and if they are, they look slightly frightening.

But it’s the female members of the Labor caucus, and we love representation.

Best-dressed in burgundy

The night may be young but I am already giving best on ground among the men to Tanya Plibersek’s husband, Michael Coutts-Trotter, for defying expectations and wearing a variation of a jacket that isn’t just boring and black.

If my eyes aren’t playing tricks on me, he’s looking dashing in burgundy, and he’s gone for a velvet material. The social services minister has opted for a shirt and skirt combo, with some tasteful kitten heels.

In a huge moment for aficionados of the bow tie, the opposition leader, Angus Taylor, is in town, and he’s gone bow tie all the way. That’s now six points to the bow tie and just three to the traditional tie.

His wife, Louise Clegg, is looking lovely in a sheer black top and light blue silk skirt. The gold purse really elevates the look.

The deputy leader of the Liberals, Jane Hume, has also been shot at a less than opportune moment, but at least she looks like she’s having fun, and that’s all that matters.

She’s wearing a beautifully shaped gown with a sort of billowy part at the back. It could be dark brown, or possibly dark grey. Even a charcoal.

The housing minister, Clare O’Neil, has been captured with her eyes closed, and haven’t we all been there?

She’s also gone for a baby pink dress, and what I would describe as a “statement” bracelet. No purse, apparently, so she’s just carrying around her phone.