There's also another trick of the trade to guarantee success for these little-known facets of life inside Parliament House.

"If you don't have to go to a meeting, that's how you get members," quips Queensland Liberal National MP Jane Prentice, an enthusiastic member of more than 20 groups.

There are some 65 parliamentary friendship groups in Australia's 44th parliament, covering everything from each of the major football codes to Tibet, surf life saving, Australian fashion and the "end of life".

Other groups include the Parliamentary Friends of Asthma, Parliamentary Friends of Grandparents Raising Grandchildren, Parliamentary Friends of Polio Survivors and Parliamentary Friends of Shooting.

The groups, which are made up of MPs and senators from across the political divide, act as a counterpoint to the aggressive and combative nature of Question Time, the hour of political blood letting that is often all many voters see of the internal workings of Parliament House.

Mrs Prentice believes friendship groups are an effective form of soft diplomacy that bring MPs from different backgrounds together, helping raise community awareness of issues and organisations in the process.

"It's about making sure MPs have a broader knowledge of issues," Mrs Prentice says.

She estimates federal politicians are looking for areas of common ground "ninety per cent of the time".

"You don't have to agree with each other, you just have to share an interest."

But some MPs sigh at any mention of the groups, dismissing them as an unnecessary commitment in their already busy schedules

"If there was one about basketball, I'd go," says one MP, who did not want to be named.

Because the groups meet in Parliament House there is a certain level of bureaucracy required. They must, for example, be officially recognised by the presiding officers, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Bronwyn Bishop, and the President of the Senate, Stephen Parry.

To gain official recognition, groups must be started by a backbencher and have a minimum of 10 sitting members who come from each of the major political parties. At least one independent MP helps. Groups must also be apolitical and not receive any external sponsorship.

Sydney Labor MP Julie Owens' membership of the Parliamentary Friends of Korea resulted in a particularly entertaining night where MPs joined the new ambassador in the embassy's private karaoke room.

Ms Owens is also one of the convenors of the Parliamentary Friends of Aussie Fashion, whose members try to wear locally designed clothing, shoes and accessories and tweet pictures of themselves when they do.

Female MPs have been quick to embrace the group but male MPs are a bit slow on the uptake.

Happy to be wearing @eddyelias for #ParlyFOF special mention for the GFC tie - Need to work on my blue steel pose? pic.twitter.com/GqvpJdqKto — Richard Marles (@RichardMarlesMP) November 25, 2014

"[Opposition immigration spokesman] Richard Marles tried to claim his Geelong jersey as Australian fashion," Ms Owens said. "Other blokes point to their RMs [R.M.Williams boots]."

The group will be officially recognised later this year and Ms Owens hopes it will become a useful forum for MPs to meet Australian designers and discuss the issues facing the industry.

I am supporting NT businesses by wearing @merrepenarts & #RawCloth dress as part of #ParlyFOF #ShopSmallAU challenge pic.twitter.com/Vk9aBTZwLb — Natasha Griggs (@NatashaGriggsMP) November 24, 2014

#ParlyFOF @JulieOwensMP wearing all Localy designed & bought outfit. The Jacket is from Wa - Nyika . pic.twitter.com/g1redWCqpm — ParlyFOF (@ParlyFOF) November 24, 2014

Examples of parliamentary friendship groups and their mission statements:

* Parliamentary Antarctic Alliance

'Aims to provide a forum to air concerns, communicate information and host events, with a view to raising awareness and understanding of Australia's strategic role and interests in Antarctica to members of Parliament and to the public'

* Parliamentary Friends of Arthritis

'To enable politicians' first hand understanding of the issues and concerns within the community about arthritis and related  conditions'

* Friends of End of Life

'To disseminate accurate information on End of Life issues and services available and to act as a forum for policy discussion on end of Life care and facilities'

* Parliamentary Friends of Football Australia

'The group aims to celebrate football's positive story between MPs and the football community'

* Parliamentary Friends of Neighbourhood Watch 

'The group intends to hold periodic meetings where various issues related to crime and vandalism prevention in neighbourhoods and communities across Australia will be discussed'

* Parliamentary Friends of SBS

'The group aims to provide a forum for raising awareness and support for the vital services SBS provides to the broader Australian community. It will also facilitate initiatives to promote and enhance the broadcasting service, as well as host functions with well-known and loved personalities'

* Parliamentary Friends of Rail Group

'The vision of the group is to strengthen the rail industry in Australia, through creating opportunities for leaders in both government and the business sector to meet and discuss issues of key importance to Australia's economic future'

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