Bill Shorten has fought back tears on morning television as he paid tribute to his “fierce and warm friend” Kimberley Kitching, who died unexpectedly at age 52 on Thursday.
The Victorian Labor senator died from a suspected heart attack in Melbourne.
It’s understood she had been feeling unwell between meetings and pulled over while driving to call her husband Andrew Landeryou.
An ambulance was reportedly called but she could not be resuscitated and died near where her car was parked.
Former Labor leader Mr Shorten and his wife, who were “great friends” with Senator Kitching and her husband, were among the first to be told of her death.
They waited for the undertaker’s car to take her away.
Looking visibly upset and choking back tears, Mr Shorten told the Nine Network how he had received the “dreadful call” from Mr Landeryou.
“We raced over to the street in Strathmore where she pulled up in the car where she experienced a heart attack, and we waited with her husband until the undertaker’s car came, which was terrible,” Mr Shorten said.
“She was a fierce and warm person. She wasn’t necessarily on the fast track to a big promotion in the Labor Party because she would speak her own mind with real honesty.
“It’s a dreadful loss. At 52 she’s been taken far too long.
“And I feel for her husband most of all, they had each other and now one half of two people has gone.
“There’s an old saying, who would you want in a fox hole with you when the bullets are flying? Everyone wanted her in their fox hole.”
Mr Shorten said he had “no doubt that the stress of politics” had contributed to her passing.
On Thursday night, Opposition Leader Anthony Albanese issued a heartfelt response after being informed of her death.
“The Labor family is in shock tonight at the tragic news that our friend and colleague Senator Kimberley Kitching has died suddenly in Melbourne,” Mr Albanese posted to social media.
“My sincere condolences to her family. Kimberley will be missed by us all.”
Prime Minister Scott Morrison also offered his condolences, saying Senator Kitching’s passion for Australia was always greater than any “partisan views”.
“She clearly loved her country and it genuinely showed,” Mr Morrison said.
Senator Kitching is remembered in the Senate for her strong stance on China and opposition to Australia joining the Belt and Road Initiative.
Last month, Senator Kitching used parliamentary privilege to name property developer Chau Chak Wing as the “puppeteer” behind a foreign interference plot revealed by ASIO.
Dr Chau denied the claim, calling it “baseless and reckless” and challenging her to repeat the claim outside the legal protection of parliament.
She also held a strong position on Israel, defending criticism on human rights abuses and acting as deputy chair of Parliamentary Friends of Israel.
Earlier on Thursday, Senator Kitching shared a message of support for flood victims in NSW and Queensland.
“Having grown up in Queensland, I know the chaos floods can cause,” she posted on Facebook.
“The footage of community members, flood victims, SES volunteers and ADF personnel stepping up to contribute to the rescue and, in some places, the recovery from the floods, is poignant.
“It reminds me of the camaraderie that defines the Australian character.”
News of her death has prompted an immediate outpouring of grief and support on social media, with touching tributes from those on all sides of politics.
Deputy Prime Minister Barnaby Joyce paid his respects, remembering the senator as a “dear friend”.
“I am deeply, genuinely and so terribly upset to hear the tragic news about a dear person and dear friend, Senator Kimberley Kitching,” Mr Joyce said.
“She was a beautiful woman and this is a tragic loss.”
One Nation senator Pauline Hanson said she was “devastated” by the news.
“We went to Afghanistan together, where we formed a close friendship. Always happy, approachable and genuine. We shared mutual respect for each other and I will miss her terribly,” Ms Hanson said.
“Dreadful, devastating news about the thoughtful, kind xjmtzywand resolute patriot Senator Kimberley Kitching,” Liberal senator Andrew Bragg said.
“She was respected by all. It was an honour to serve with her. The nation will feel her loss deeply. All thoughts are with her family and friends. Vale.”
Labor frontbencher Clare O’Neil said Senator Kitching was taken far too young.
“She was powerful, clever, caring, and a hell of a lot of (often mischievous) fun. She will be greatly, greatly missed,” she said.
Senator Kitching died at the same age as cricketing great and fellow Victorian Shane Warne, who suffered a heart attack late last week.
Fellow Victorian Senator Raff Ciccone told Sky News he was shocked, describing her as a “true patriot”.
“Someone who believed in defending human rights violations, regardless of who it was and which nation. She’d always out there, outspoken.
“You just knew she was always true to her beliefs and the cause about defending freedom,” he said.
Senator Kitching was born and grew up in Brisbane before moving to Melbourne in 1995.
She ran for Labor in the 2013 federal election but was unsuccessful.
Three years later, Senator Kitching won preselection to fill the Victorian seat vacated by Stephen Conroy following his resignation.
She entered the Senate in 2016.
In her maiden speech to parliament, Senator Kitching reflected on her time growing up in Queensland and later life in Victoria.
“As a former Queenslander who grew up swimming, a proud holder of a bronze medallion, who continues to enjoy swimming in Victoria’s chillier waters, I am daunted yet delighted to be thrown in the deep end right here and now,” she said.
“I come here to represent everyday Australian people.”
Senator Kitching has been involved in politics since she joined Young Labor as a student.
She acted as vice-president of the party's Victorian Branch and was a Melbourne City councillor before entering federal parliament.
Following the 2019 election, Kitching was included in Mr Albanese‘s shadow ministry as Shadow Assistant Minister Government Accountability.
She has been married to Mr Landeryou since 2000.
“We have lived an adventurous life together — that much is certain,” Senator Kitching said of their marriage.
“Equally certain has been his support and belief in me, his love, his loyalty, his resilience and his remarkable intellect.”
