Labor women avoid questions about bullying in wake of Kimberley Kitching death

A retiring MP has slammed Labor’s “sickening” tactics in the wake of allegations Kimberley Kitching was isolated by senate leadership, as women in the party avoid questions about bullying.

Labor women have closed ranks and avoided questions about the party’s track record on bullying in the wake of allegations Kimberley Kitching was isolated by senate leadership.

Labor’s senate leader Penny Wong has strenuously denied claims Ms Kitching felt isolated and bullied, and called for “common decency” in the wake of her sudden death.

In a tense live interview about the issue of bullying on Sunday, Ms Wong was asked why, as a senior South Australian party figure, she did not publicly call out appalling ­behaviour directed at retiring Boothby Liberal MP Nicolle Flint.

Nicolle Flint spoke of ongoing abuse she’d received in Parliament House last year. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Gary Ramage

Kimberley Kitching died after a suspected heart attack.

Last year, Ms Flint announced she would quit federal parliament at the upcoming election after experiencing harassment and abuse.

Ms Wong expressed regret at how Ms Flint felt about her treatment, but claimed her private discussions about the matter had been sufficient.

In response, Ms Flint told The Daily Telegraph it appeared Labor would “relentlessly pursue” any woman who did not fit their “narrow idea” of what she should think, be or do.

“Penny Wong has long claimed to be a champion of women,” she said.

“It is clear that she is not. I thought they just tried to take me on because it was politics and they wanted me out of my seat, but it turns out they were doing worse to their own women and I find that sickening,” she said.

Senator Katy Gallagher, Senator Kristina Keneally and Senator Penny Wong have been accused of bullying colleague Kimberley Kitching, which they have all strenuously denied. Picture: Sam Mooy

Ms Kitching’s friends and allies have continued to argue for an inquiry into her treatment, with one Labor MP speaking on the condition of anonymity saying that they were “shocked” at the absolute denial.

The majority of the 44 female Labor MPs and senators did not respond when contacted by The Telegraph to seek their position on an inquiry into the bullying claims, as well as their own experience of the culture within parliament or the party.

Of the 10 responses received, about half declined or were unable to comment. It is understood there was no top-down directive given to MPs on how to respond to the questions and many chose not to answer of their own accord.

Labor’s NSW president Michelle Rowland said that speaking from her own personal experience she had “genuinely felt supported” as a woman in the party.

Fellow frontbencher Linda Burney said in her 20 years in the party she’d had a “lot of robust discussions about the best policy and decision-making for the country,” but felt they were always focused on coming to the right decision.

Lilley MP Anika Wells said she believed everyone had a role to play to ensure “everybody is treated fairly and with respect”, while Cooper MP Ged Kearney said she had a “positive experience” in parliament.

Paterson MP Meryl Swanson said Ms Kitching was a “good friend” who would be missed, and her thoughts were with her family.

Senator Kimberley Kitching was passionate about Australia’s national security and is picture here with Attila the dog while visiting Defence personnel in Afghanistan. Picture: Supplied

Anthony Albanese has rejected an inquiry into Kimberley Kitching’s death. NewsWire / Sarah Marshall

Opposition Leader Anthony Albanese has rejected the idea of an inquiry into Ms Kitching’s treatment, prompting Prime Minister Scott Morrison to accuse Labor of being in a “crystal cathedral” where they were “pretty quick to throw stones”.

Ms Kitching died of a suspected heart attack this month at the age of 52, and will be 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 last week Ms Kitching privately referred to Ms Wong and Labor’s senate leadership team as “the mean girls”, who she felt had ostracised her in Canberra.

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

But Ms Wong confirmed she regretted a previous comment 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,” Ms Wong said.

“I regret it. I apologised, as I should.”

SCOMO SAYS ALBO CAN’T DUCK ALLEGATIONS

Prime Minister Scott Morrison says Labor leader Anthony Albanese “can’t duck and run” on the allegations of bullying made against senior members of his party and must “face up” to the issues raised.

Friends and colleagues of Labor Senator Kimberley Kitching, who died of a suspected heart attack earlier this month, have revealed she felt targeted by Labor’s senate leadership and was iced out from internal discussions amid factional warring.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison speaks to the media during a press conference at Kirribilli House on Sunday morning. Picture: Flavio Brancaleone

Mr Morrison said it was a “serious issue” to have MPs, senators and members of unions come out and make “very serious allegations” against not only the Senate leadership, but broadly in how Ms Kitching’s claims were handled within the party.

“There are serious issues that Anthony Albanese has to deal with,” he said.

“This is on his watch ... and he can’t duck and run on this.

“He needs to be able to face up on this and say what is going to do about this.”

Mr Morrison said “so far” it seemed Mr Albanese was seeking to “just dismiss the issue completely”.

“Right now, it is incumbent on Anthony Albanese ... to address these very serious issues and say what he is going to do,” Mr Morrison said.

“That’s what leaders need to do.”

On Saturday Mr Albanese said Labor had an “established process” to deal with complaints of bullying and other issues, and dismissed calls for an inquiry into Ms Kitching’s treatment.

“The statements that have been made have been answered by the people who have been direct to,” he said.

“When people have raised issues me, I have directed them.

“I think this is an unfortunate discussion to have two days before a funeral of someone.”

Originally published as Labor women avoid questions about bullying in wake of Kimberley Kitching death