The ACT Government confirmed on Wednesday that the 2026 Midwinter Ball is off after the Prime Minister withdrew his participation. The decision comes after a live on camera demand by an MP to slash the budget, which prompted a sudden security overhaul at the event.
Guests were made up of politicians and journalists. Photos published after the cancelled ball displayed Canberra’s elite in formal attire. A Channel 9 transcript broadcast the next morning detailed the tightened security and captured reactions from attendees.