Tasmanian Senator Helen Polley breaks ranks over ‘mean girls’

Tasmanian Labor Senator Helen Polley has broken ranks over ‘mean girls’ allegations and suggested Labor has a culture problem in a moving Senate speech.

Tasmanian Labor Senator Helen Polley has broken ranks over “mean girls” allegations telling Parliament that the late Senator Kimberley Kitching was the “best of the best” and that she was bullied because of the strength of her convictions.

During a carefully worded condolence motion, Senator Polley, a close friend of Senator Kitching, did not comment directly on the bullying allegations during her speech, but made it clear she believed there were issues that all parties needed to address.

She is the first female senator to publicly suggest that Labor has a culture problem in the Senate.

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Tasmanian Labor Senator Helen Polley did not comment directly on the bullying allegations during her speech. Picture: Australia Parliament House Senate Live Stream.

Labor Senate leader Penny Wong – who denies any bullying allegations – turned in her chair and watched the speech during the condolences motion today, which was also watched by deputy Senate leader Kristina Keneally.

“Kimberley was fierce. She would not be bullied by people or countries, even though she was, because of the strength of her convictions,’’ Senator Polley said of her friend Senator Kitching.

“Kimberley was tough, but more than that she was kind. One of my colleagues likes to remind people that in politics if you want a friend to get a dog, I don’t believe that’s true.

“Certainly hasn’t been true with some of the politicians that I’ve worked with and some that I’ve served with, and it certainly wasn’t true of Kimberley.

“Those who represent their communities deserve common respect. More decency, kindness afforded to each other, must become the norm.

“Or who will we attract to this place? The best of the best, like Kimberley Jane Elizabeth Kitching, or mediocre representation?”

Labor Senate leader Penny Wong denies any bullying allegations. Picture: Australia Parliament House Senate Live Stream

Senator Polley wept as she described her friend who died of a suspect heart attack on March 10 as a “ray of sunshine”.

“I hope that this place is welcoming to those who have been provided the ultimate privilege to represent the people of their state,’’ she said.

“That there is compassion, respect, and kindness afforded to each and every one of us in this place, by our colleagues each and every day.”

She described her “loyal, hard-working” friend as someone who would never abandon you in a time of difficulty.

“Kimberley was fierce. She had a wicked sense of humour. Her infectious smile lit up every room she entered. She was a great person. She was a great friend. Kimberley will continue to inspire me every single day to be a better person.

“Labor has lost a loyal, talented, hard working, and caring daughter. We honour you today Kimberely. Rest peacefully.

Senator Polley described the late Senator Kimberley Kitching as a “ray of sunshine”. Picture: AAP Image/Mick Tsikas.

The Labor women accused of being “mean girls” to the late Senator Kimberley Kitching have alluded to the allegations in condolence motions with Labor Penny Wong declaring she would not respond to “anger with anger.”

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

“I understand that grief and loss will be so profound that it can provoke anger and blame. I will not return anger with anger. Senator Kitching deserves her life and legacy to be celebrated and remembered,’’ she said.’

It follows fresh revelations today that Senator Kitching believed that Senator Wong had spent years trying to get her kicked off the ALP tactics committee.

The Australian reports today that Senator Kitching kept a record of a conversation she had with Labor faction leader Don Farrell on November 12, 2019, when he informed her Senator Wong had ­advised him she might remove Kitching from Labor’s tactics committee that determines question time strategy

Senator Kitching said she would go “berserk” if she was dumped from the senior Labor group and Senator Don Farrell replied that he “won’t let it happen”.

Deputy Senate leader Kristina Keneally told the Senate that her colleague was not a “shrinking violet”.

“Others have had a lot to say and write about this issue, and some of what has been suggested I’ve strongly responded to on the record outside this place,” Senator Keneally said.

“Today in this place, I will treat her life and legacy as I did prior to her tragic death with deep respect for her intelligence, and her capacity. She was never underestimated, she made her own decisions.

“She was not manipulated by others in her career.”