Foreign Minister Julie Bishop, in a Morticia Addams-style gown by Sydney designer Rachel Gilbert, was the belle of the political ball in a black crepe de chine floor length number that boasted a train longer than the to-do list of her new foreign policy white paper.

Lucy Turnbull also represented the best in Australian fashion by debuting a black, gold and teal embossed Ellery gown with an exaggerated peplum silhouette. A dress she bought last year.

"It's pretty trendy isn't it. Not on me it's not but it's very cool. She's a great designer," Mrs Turnbull told Fairfax Media.

Chloe Shorten's coral column number was a gift from her fashionable mother, Dame Quentin Bryce who picked up the dress while holidaying in the United States.

For her second Midwinter outing Senator Jacqui Lambie purchased a red gown from her favourite "dress shop" in Burnie for about $150. The cherry hue matched her date, Derryn Hinch's scarf. The pair, dubbed 'Jerryn', mingled like royalty before heading into parliament's Great Hall for the futuristic themed event.

Lambie's sweetheart neckline embellished with crystals was a style highlight, but it was her "Kim Kardashian hair and lashes" that she was most enamoured with. "Thankfully I had some help with that. If I did it myself I'd look like a panda," she laughed motioning toward her voluminous false eyelashes.

Deputy opposition leader Tanya Plibersek bucked the trend of show stopping dresses and opted for a sophisticated, mid-length black and navy Bianca Spender cocktail dress.

Pauline Hanson, in an off-the-shoulder black, beaded gown wouldn't be drawn into discussing her outfit for her debut at the annual fundraising event hosted by the press gallery, MPs and staffers.

"I couldn't tell you," she told Fairfax Media when asked to please explain her ensemble.

Singer Samantha Jade performed an hour long set, a medley of her favourite songs.

"I'm going to stage a dance off, so they better be ready to shake it on the dance floor," she said before taking the stage.