Anthony Albanese has refused to confirm whether he heard about the mistreatment of Victorian Labor senator Kimberley Kitching, claiming he never received any complaints from her
Senator Kitching’s death last week from a suspected heart attack has sparked claims she was bullied by thexjmtzyw Labor Party amid a factional dispute over her preselection.
Friends and supporters of Senator Kitching are calling for an inquiry into her treatment prior to her death after it was revealed she disclosed the situation to an external workplace trainer and deputy leader Richard Marles.
Speaking to reporters on the NSW Central Coast, Mr Albanese said it was a “fact” Senator Kitching had never approached him to air her complaints.
“I received no complaints about the treatment of Senator Kitching from Kimberley at any time,” he said on Saturday.
“That is just a fact.
“That is not to say that, of course, from time to time in politics … I think we could all be kinder to each other, frankly, but within the parliament, within our own parties, and across the aisle, and I would always urge people to do so.”
The exasperated leader evaded questions on whether an inquiry should be held, insisting Labor already had processes in place.
It comes as the woman who held Senator Kitching’s hand as she died said she had “no doubt” the bullying she experienced contributed to her death.
“In the months and weeks leading up to her death, she had broken out in rashes visible around her neck,” friend and Health Services Union secretary Diana Asmar wrote in the Herald Sun.
“Her hands started shaking uncontrollably in meetings, and her upper lip would quiver at the mention of Anthony Albanese or Penny Wong.
“Once a fit, health-conscious yoga enthusiast who loved to swim in the sea, she was now a physical wreck. Her body was failing her.”
It’s alleged she was kicked out of a tactics committee and was not allowed to ask questions during question time.
Penny Wong, Kristina Keneally and Katy Gallagher were all named this week as having allegedly “ostracised” Senator Kitching.
Ms Asmar accused the women, and the Labor leadership team of “gaslighting” the Senator even after he death.
In a statement on Friday, the three Labor labelled the accusations against them as “hurtful and untrue”.
“Out of respect for them, and for Senator Kitching, we have not responded to allegations that have been made despite them not being true,” they said in a statement.
“This has been hard, but we believed it to be the right thing to do to maintain some dignity for all concerned.”
