Senators and staffers are rubbing shoulders with MPs and members of the press gallery as they let their hair down for a night of festivities amid fierce political turf wars.
Hosted by the parliamentary press gallery in Canberra, the annual ball at Parliament House was pushed back from its regular late June spot to Wednesday because of the federal elections.
Modelled on the White House Correspondents' Dinner where well-known American comedians poke fun at the powerful, the ball is being MC'd by the pair behind satirical publication The Betoota Advocate.
The theme for this year's black-tie affair is House of Cards, the political thriller that catapulted Netflix to become the top streaming service globally.
Among the attendees were the all-women pack of teal independents including newly elected Bradfield MP Nicolette Boele.
Nationals senator Bridget McKenzie sported a black tuxedo with a Jack of Spades card on her lapel in a nod to the 2025 theme.
Meanwhile, Victorian couple Labor MP Josh Burns and state Animal Justice MP Georgie Purcell graced the marble floor wearing purple heels.
Greens leader Larissa Waters wore heart-shaped earrings flaunting the flag of Palestine in a powerful political statement referring to the ongoing assault on Gaza.
She also sported ones emblazoned with the phrase "Always Was", referring to Aboriginal sovereignty.
Not to be outdone, Greens senator Sarah Hanson-Young clutched a green bag and an eye-catching golden octopus necklace.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese walked in hand-in-hand with partner Jodie Haydon dressed in an elegant, floor-length red gown.
Opposition leader Sussan Ley dressed in elegant white came accompanied with a contingent of female Liberal MPs.
Taking a break from the fraught minefield of social cohesion, Minister of Multicultural Affairs Anne Aly spread her wings on the stairs of the Grand Hall in an ethereal orange gown.
Also trading in their rhetorical barbs for more light-hearted interactions were journalists Patricia Karvelas and Sarah Ferguson.
AAP's own Mick Tsikas was honoured as visual storyteller of the year at the event, winning in both categories for "The Craft" and also "The Shot".
