Political elite mingle in Sydney

The prime minister's wife Lucy Turnbull has arrived at a black-tie awards night in Sydney, where she will be rubbing shoulders with political heavyweights including Peta Credlin.

Mrs Turnbull, the city's former lord mayor, told reporters on the red carpet she'd enjoyed a "busy" but "exciting" week since husband Malcolm took the top job.

Asked if Ms Credlin had won her vote in the Australian Women's Weekly Women of the Future awards, Mrs Turnbull laughed and said: "I'm not telling you, it's a secret vote."

Ms Credlin, who served as chief of staff for Tony Abbott until last week's Liberal leadership challenge, posed for photos alongside political commentator Annabel Crabb and model Jesinta Campbell but did not speak to reporters during the rare public appearance.

Other high-profile guests at the Art Gallery of NSW function on Tuesday included NSW Treasurer Gladys Berejiklian, former governor-general Dame Quentin Bryce and burns survivor and author Turia Pitt.