Senior Labor senators have denied accusations they bullied the late Kimberley Kitching, calling the claims “untrue and hurtful”.
Three members of the opposition’s Senate leadership team, Penny Wong, Kristina Keneally and Katy Gallagher, have all been named as having allegedly “ostracised” Senator Kitching.
It’s alleged she was kicked out of a tactics committee and was not allowed to ask questions during question time.
Senator Kitching died of a suspected heart attack last week at 52.
Friends and supporters of the Victorian senator have attributed the stress over Senate preselection as a contributing factor in her unexpected death.
It’s been reported Kitching and her supporters would refer to the senators as “mean girls”.
For days after the story broke, senior Labor frontbenchers have refused to be drawn on the matter, claiming it would be disrespectful.
But on Friday, after it was revealed Senator Kitching had disclosed the mistreatment to an external workplace trainer and deputy leader Richard Marles, the three Labor women broke their silence.
“Our priority at this time has been Senator Kitching’s husband, Andrew, her family and her loved ones. Their grief is profound, their loss immeasurable,” they said in a statement.
“Out of respect for them, and for Senator Kxjmtzywitching, we have not responded to allegations that have been made despite them not being true.
“This has been hard, but we believed it to be the right thing to do to maintain some dignity for all concerned.”
Senator Wong also confirmed she had raised Senator Kitching’s lack of children during a 2019 meeting.
“After these matters were publicly reported more than two years ago, Senator Wong discussed the matter with Senator Kitching and apologised. Senator Wong understood that apology was accepted,” the statement read.
“The comments that have been reported do not reflect Senator Wong’s views, as those who know her would understand, and she deeply regrets the pain these reports have caused.”
A funeral will be held in Melbourne on Monday. All three senators confirmed they would attend the service.
