Glitzy Midwinter Ball At Parliament House Is Being Slammed For Fossil Fuel Sponsorship
"Nothing says political integrity like big fossil fuel companies and their lobbyists funding Canberra’s biggest political booze up."
An industry body is calling for parliamentarians and journalists to boycott an annual fundraising ball in Canberra sponsored by fossil fuel giants.
The Federal Parliament Press Gallery Midwinter Ball is taking place at Parliament House in September, merging editorial, political, and corporate worlds for a glitzy social and networking night of nights.
However, climate action communication agency Comms Declare, have pointed out that the 2022 function is sponsored by Shell and Woodside Energv, as well as lobbying groups Hawker Britton and Nexus APAC Group, who represent fossil fuel clients like Equinor and Glencore, respectively.
“It seems the Canberra bubble is made of oil,” said founder Belinda Noble in a statement on Wednesday. “Nothing says political integrity like big fossil fuel companies and their lobbyists funding Canberra’s biggest political booze up.”
The black tie event has been described as “Capital Hill’s equivalent of the Oscars — or at least the Logies”, with auction items this year including a game of tennis with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, or dinner with Minister for Foreign Affairs Penny Wong and Minister for Environment Tanya Plibersek all up for grabs, according to the Canberra Times.
An IPCC report released this year criticised how fossil fuel industries have dampened climate change narratives, stating they have “unique access to mainstream media, via advertisements, shaping narratives of media reports, and exerting political influence in countries”.
“We call on politicians and journalists who care about global warming and integrity to boycott this event in protest of the insidious influence of fossil fuel companies that are hindering climate action,” said Noble.
Junkee reached out to Midwinter Ball for comment.
Photo Credit: Midwinter Ball