When one is under fire in Question Time, it's the political version of sink or swim.
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However, if you're Foreign Minister Julie Bishop, you dust yourself off, cover yourself in sparkles and party instead.
Despite a tough day at the Table claiming she had no knowledge of the Julie Bishop Glorious Foundation – a fund established by Chinese mining magnate Sally Zou, a Liberal donor – Bishop let her great style do the talking on Wednesday night in Canberra at the Midwinter Ball.
Bishop's designer diversion stole the show at the press gallery's annual charity gala – the suburban Met Gala.
The woman who uses fashion as a diplomacy tool dazzled inside Parliament House's Great Hall in a silver and violet ombre gown by Australian designer Rachel Gilbert. She outshone the opposition with sequins, feathers and skirt inspired by Dame Edna's purple rinse.
It was the same red carpet gown Gilbert wore for a recent Vogue profile.
High-fashion wasn't just for the glorious conservatives. Chloe Shorten was in plumb position for best dressed in a plum gown by Italian designer Chiara Boni.
Mrs Shorten was the embodiment of her husband's policies thanks to the combination of high and low brands. She styled her look like a thrifty fashion blogger and teamed her $1400 gown with $17 drop earrings from Colette.
Pauline Hanson got the merlot memo and also wore a grape-hued dress with lace overlay, something that saved her left leg from the same naked fate Angelina Jolie's limb endured at the 2012 Oscars.
She was accompanied to Canberra's human zoo by Cooberrie Park Wildlife Sanctuary zoo keeper Kieron Smedley.
Keeping it low-key chic was Anne Aly. Fresh from her Fashion Week Australia debut last month at the Thomas Puttick show, the West Australian MP opted for a ruby red ensemble by Australian label Grace & Hart and oversized leather jacket.
Linda Burney also flew the flag for Australian fashion in a coral Carla Zampatti number.
Lucy Turnbull's jacket game at the black tie event was stronger than her husband's position on climate change.
Mrs Turnbull was sharp and directional in a cropped, tailored number by Australian designer Carl Kapp. She up-cycled her look with a vintage Giorgio Armani floor length navy skirt.
Last year's favourite couple, Jerryn – independent senators Jacqui Lambie and Derryn Hinch – were no more. Lambie was instead escorted by her son, Brentyn Milverton.
Barnaby Joyce turned heads, arriving dressed for cattle mustering instead of mingling.
The Deputy Prime Minister was joined by his wife Natalie, a stock whip and bone-coloured Akubra.
Inside, Eurovision 2016 star Dami Im kicked off the night while the last of the auction items were bid on.
The highlights of the program were courtesy of Bishop, who donated a business class trip to the G'Day USA gala. The prize, which guarantees a meeting with the Minister, was sold for $35,200.
The chance to share a "quiet bottle of wine and chat at Parliament House" with Shorten and his deputy Tanya Pilbersek was snapped up for more than $11,000.
