Richard Marles says Kimberley Kitching never made a bullying complaint

Deputy Labor leader Richard Marles says Kimberley Kitching “never” made a bullying complaint to him during their regular discussions before her sudden death.

Deputy Labor leader Richard Marles says Kimberley Kitching “never” made a bullying complaint to him during their regular discussions before her sudden death.

Ms Kitching’s friends and allies have said the late Labor senator had raised concerns about her treatment with Mr Marles, including that she felt bullied and ostracised by colleagues, but he categorically denied those assertions on Wednesday.

“I spoke to Kimberley on many occasions, and those conversations were obviously private, and I don’t intend to reveal them,” Mr Marles said.

“But given all that has been said, let me say this, at no point did Kimberley make a bullying complaint to me. At no point did she ask me to take action.”

Mr Marles had previously repeatedly refused to be drawn on questions about the content of conversations he had with Ms Kitching during her time in the senate, saying in a TV interview last Friday he was “just not going to walk down that path”.

But he has now definitively ruled out any discussion of bullying.

Deputy Labor leader Richard Marles. Picture: NCA NewsWire / David Geraghty

“She never made a bullying complaint to me. She never sought for me to act. I can’t be clearer than that,” he said.

“I’m not about to go into a running commentary as I’ve said about every conversation that I’ve had with Kimberley and I’ve had many.”

Ms Kitching’s allies said she had also complained about being dumped for Labor’s senate tactics committee in retaliation as it was believed she had warned Liberal Minister Linda Reynolds the opposition knew about the Brittany Higgins allegations.

Mr Marles confirmed Ms Kitching did raise the committee issue with him.

“She was obviously unhappy about the senate tactics committee but since her death, I have really not wanted to talk about that, but rather reflect on her life because I don’t think this issue defines who Kimberley was,” he said.

“In fact the really beautiful speeches that were made at her funeral ... to me completely captured the essence of Kimberley Kitching.

“I agree with them in terms of the conversations I had with her throughout her time as a senator that as a senator, she was leading her best life.”

Mr Marles last week said he did not accept the “assertions” in the media about what he knew about Ms Kitching’s treatment, but would not comment further, telling reporters he had known the late senator for 30 years and was grieving her loss.

Federal Opposition Labour leader Anthony Albanese with Labor MPs Libby Coker and Richard Marles. Picture: Mike Dugdale

PM SLAMS ‘GUTLESS’ ALBO OVER BULLYING CULTURE

Labor can’t hide from the allegations of a “toxic culture” within the party’s ranks and to avoid claims Senator Kimberley Kitching was bullied by her own colleagues is “gutless,” Prime Minister Scott Morrison has said.

In a scathing attack on Labor leader Anthony Albanese, Mr Morrison has warned the issues raised by Ms Kitching’s friends and allies can’t be dismissed.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison says Labor leader Anthony Albanese must address allegations of bullying inside his party. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Dan Peled

“Anthony Albanese is in hiding,” Mr Morrison said.

“Frankly, I think that it is pretty gutless.”

Mr Morrison said Mr Albanese can’t simply avoid “hard issues”.

“That‘s not what prime ministers can do,” he said.

“And this is someone who wants to be prime minister.

“You face up to these things, as my government has, and dealt with difficult issues and worked then through, and had the reviews and had the inquiries, and ensured that we‘ve made the system better for all of the parliament.

“What we‘ve got from Anthony Albanese at the first sign of hard questions – and we’re not even into the campaign yet – he has gone into complete hiding.”

Labor leader Anthony Albanese said he had never received complaints from Kimberley Kitching about her treatment.

Mr Morrison said Ms Kitching‘s funeral on Monday was an “important day” for her family and he was pleased she was able to be honoured.

“Certainly for her family and friends and there were people from both sides of politics there to pay tribute,” he said.

“I welcome the fact that she‘ll be honoured within the Labor Party with an ongoing recognition award for those in Labor Party.

“I think that that is very fitting.

“But that does not dismiss the fact that serious allegations have been made – not by the Liberal Party, but by members of the Labor Party about a toxic culture within the Labor Party.”

Labor senator Kimberley Kitching's funeral St Patrick Cathedral. Bill Shorten carries the coffin down the steps with other pallbearers. Picture: David Caird

Ms Kitching died of a suspected heart attack earlier this month at the age of 52, and was farewelled at St Patrick’s Cathedral in Melbourne on Monday.

Following her death, former Labor leader Bill Shorten, who was one of her closest friends, raised concerns about the stress Ms Kitching was under as a result of the backroom machinations holding up her preselection.

It was also revealed Ms Kitching had privately referred to Labor’s senate leader Penny Wong, as well as senators Kristina Keneally and Katy Gallagher as “the mean girls”, who she felt had ostracised and isolated her in Canberra.

Asked on Sunday if she had bullied Ms Kitching, Ms Wong said: “No, I did not.”

But Ms Wong did confirm she regretted previously making comments to Ms Kitching along the lines of, ‘well if you had children, you might understand why there is a climate emergency.’

“What I said was insensitive,” she said. I regret it. I apologised, as I should.”

Labor Senator Kimberley Kitching passed away from a suspected heart attack. Picture: AAP Image/Mick Tsikas

On Saturday Mr Albanese said he had never received any complaints from Ms Kitching about her treatment.

“That is just a fact,” he said.

“That is not to say that, of course, from time to time in politics, it‘s a competitive business, it is one where I think we could all be kinder to each other, frankly, within the parliament, within our own parties, and across the aisle. And I would always urge people to do so.”

Mr Albanese said Labor had an existing internal complaints system anyone could access if there were issues of bullying.

“We have an ongoing process that people can participate in,” he said.

“We can always do better.”