The first Midwinter Ball in three years took place last night at the Parliament House Great Hall in Canberra, with several Greens Senators making a statement with their opulent gowns emblazoned with strong environmental messages.
Claudia Perkins, the partner of Greens leader Adam Bandt, arrived in a white gown with “Coal kills gas kills,” written in red and black letters.
The anti-coal and gas statement gown recalls Democratic-Socialist congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez’s dress from last year’s MET Gala, which was splashed with “Tax the Rich”.
On Instagram, Perkins, a yoga instructor, said; “It’s a big night in Parliament (although not for anyone else ☺️), and this year we were pretty pissed off to see the gas corporation Woodside as one of the major sponsors. So I wanted to make my feelings loud and clear.”
“Also, these last few weeks have been a reminder that Labor talk a big game but there are 114 NEW coal and gas projects in the pipeline. We need to get off coal and gas RIGHT NOW to keep planet liveable.”
She then congratulated Extinction Rebellion Australia and its Victorian branch “for keeping the pressure on.”
Greens Senator Sarah Hanson Young arrived in similar style, wearing a white, floor-length dress with “End gas and coal” written on the back.
On Instagram, Young explained that the dress “represents the urgent need to take a stand against fossil fuels and protect our planet.”
“The body of the dress is made from a 50 year old damask table cloth, and the lettering is made from a fast fashion handbag that had fallen apart. The black and white lace at the bottom represents the murkiness of coal, hidden by the flimsy veils of greenwashing. What we don’t need right now is window dressing on climate. We need to end new coal and gas.”
On Twitter, she added, “If we are to stop the climate crisis, we need to stop new coal and gas.”
According to the Canberra Times, Greens Senator Lidia Thorpe did not attend the ball as an official guest but arrived wearing an Aboriginal flag t-shirt, marching down the famous marble stairs yelling “stop destroying our planet..criminals!” before leaving.
Canberra’s biggest social event allowed politicians, press gallery members and philanthropic figures to mingle for fundraising purposes — auctioning off items for charities including OzHarvest Australia, Fearless Women, Rural Aid Australia and Ukraine Crisis Appeal.
Auction items included dinner with Penny Wong, Tanya Plibersek, independent MPs Zoe Daniel, Monique Ryan, Allegra Spender and Kylea Tink, a game of pool at the Lodge with Anthony Albanese and Qantas business class return to London or Los Angeles.