SA Senator Penny Wong delivers condolence speech for colleague Kimberley Kitching

SA Senator Penny Wong has paid tribute to colleague Kimberley Kitching, at the same time as reports emerged that Don Farrell was involved in the pair’s tense relationship.

Senior Labor figure Penny Wong has declared she won’t “return anger with anger” in a speech paying tribute to her late colleague Kimberley Kitching.

Moving a condolence motion in the Senate on Monday morning, Senator Wong said Ms Kitching, who died of a suspected heart attack this month, was an “extraordinary political operator”.

“Senator Kitching was a patriot, a woman determined to serve for her country,” she said. Senator Wong loosely addressed allegations that she was part of a “mean girls” group that bullied and ostracised Senator Kitching.

“Much has been said and written in the days since Senator Kitching’s passing. Many are hurting and many are grieving,” Senator Wong said.

Penny Wong pays tribute to the late Senator Kimberley Kitching on Monday. Picture: AAP Image

“I understand that grief and loss can be so profound that it can provoke anger and blame. I’ve made my views very clear outside of this place about some of that anger and blame. I will not return anger with anger or blame with blame.”

Senator Wong has denied all allegations.

In his own speech, SA Senator Don Farrell said “Kimberley was not a shrinking violet” who was “never, ever afraid” to express her views.

“In the past couple of weeks I have heard some people say that maybe it would have been better for Kimberley if she had never come to the Senate.

“I strongly disagree … she loved every moment of being here in the Senate.”

Senator Kimberley Kitching. Picture: Jake Nowakowski

He said public servants “would shake in their boots” when she entered the Senate estimates committee room.

The Australian reported Senator Farrell, a Labor powerbroker, warned Ms Kitching that Senator Wong wanted to boot her off the party’s strategy team in November 2019.

According to The Australian, Senator Farrell warned Ms Kitching of the move 18 months before she was booted off the tactics committee over accusations of leaking to the federal government.

The Australian reported Ms Kitching said she would go “berserk” if she were kicked off the team. Senator Farrell reportedly replied he “won’t let it happen”. Tensions between the two South Australian senators, Farrell and Wong, were documented in journalist Samantha Maiden’s 2020 book Party Animals.

Senator Don Farrell had spoken to Ms Kitching about Senator Wong. Picture: Che Chorley

Senator Farrell, often called the “godfather” of SA Labor’s right faction, gave up his safe Senate spot to Senator Wong in 2012. He rejoined the Senate three years later after an attempt at state politics was blocked by former Labor premier Jay Weatherill.

Senator Farrell would not comment on his conversations with Ms Kitching.

The Australian reported Senator Wong had wrongly blamed Ms Kitching for leaking an offensive remark she used about the late Victorian senator not having children to the media. Senator Wong said she apologised for the comment, and denied allegations she was part of a “mean girls” group that ostracised Ms Kitching, who died of a suspected heart attack this month.

[e-mail]