Anthony Albanese’s MPs back Kimberley Kitching bullying probe

Growing numbers of Labor MPs want an independent inquiry into allegations Kimberley Kitching was bullied by Senate colleagues.

Kimberley Kitching. Picture: David Geraghty / The Australian

Growing numbers of Labor MPs are backing an independent inquiry into allegations Kimberley Kitching was bullied by her Senate colleagues and raised concerns about the “rotten” culture within the party’s senior circles.

The Weekend Australian has spoken to four MPs who want an investigation into the treatment of Senator Kitching by the Senate leadership team, with one senator saying it was “not a nice place to be working”.

“I want change and we have got to set in motion the procedures to have some change because it is just wrong,” a Labor senator said. “Their behaviour and the atmosphere is just rotten and that has got to be addressed.

“There is without a doubt in anyone’s mind who actually knew her, cared for her, have witnessed the behaviour, that this did impact on her health.”

Several Labor senators told The Weekend Australian that people who voiced differing opinions from the leadership group were frozen out and ostracised.

“They don’t like anyone who challenges them,” one said. “I have never seen (the culture in the Labor Senate team) as bad as this.”

The MPs, who declined to be identified for fear of retribution, were stunned by the rejection of allegations of mistreatment of Senator Kitching from Penny Wong, Kristina Keneally and Katy Gallagher.

“People are denying things that so many people know happened,” a senator said.

A second Labor senator said the statement was “not credible”, while another claimed to be “shocked by the statement”.

One Labor MP said he was disappointed with Anthony Albanese’s lacklustre response to the claims that have arisen since Kitching’s death.

“I can’t contemplate there not being a proper inquiry into what happened,” he said. “It’s a view that’s shared by many people. Most sensible people can have sympathy for what’s happening.”

Other MPs, some of who were close to Senator Kitching, argue she was not bullied but was subjected to the regular brutality of politics. The MPs say she was a tough operator who could give as good as she received.

“Blind Freddy knows no one actually likes each other in the party,” one Labor figure said.

But MPs who do not think Senator Kitching was bullied concede Labor was paying the price for making political hay over allegations of culture problems in the Coalition.

In a joint statement, Senator Wong, Senator Keneally and Senator Gallagher denied they bullied Kitching.

“Politics is a challenging profession. Contests can be robust and interactions difficult. All of its participants at times act or speak in ways that can impact on others negatively. We have and do reflect on this, as individuals and as leaders,” the statement said.

However, Senator Wong confirmed she had made a disparaging comment about Senator Kitching not having children.

“Senator Wong discussed the matter with Senator Kitching and apologised,” the statement said. “Senator Wong understood that apology was accepted.”

Mr Albanese said on Friday he was “proud” to have senators Wong, Keneally and Gallagher on his team.

“That’s not to say that we can’t always look to do better. Politics is a really tough business,” he said.

Scott Morrison accused Mr Albanese of “going missing” on the issue. “As soon as things get a bit difficult for the Leader of the Opposition, he goes missing. He vanishes,” Mr Morrison said.

“He’s got some uncomfortable questions that he needs to answer in relation to the conduct of his own party, but that’s for him to ­address.”