Senator Kitching’s husband, Andrew Landeryou, and her long-time friend Mr Shorten are expected to speak at the service. Senator Don Farrell, another friend of Senator Kitching who will deliver a reading, said she had been worried about her preselection but did not believe she would be removed in the factional brawl. Others in the Victorian branch dispute this.
Senator Farrell, Mr Albanese and others had claimed it would be inappropriate to debate the allegations before Monday’s funeral. However, Ms Kitching’s closest allies support the media attention on the topic and want Labor’s leadership team to address the issue in a fulsome manner.
The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age revealed that in the final weeks of her life, Senator Kitching was unsure whether she could trust Mr Albanese amid a long-running dispute over the confirmation of Victorian candidates, although she did not raise her concerns with him. It has also been reported she made a complaint about bullying to deputy leader Richard Marles.
Some federal Labor MPs and Victorian Labor figures believe Senator Kitching’s supporters are using her death to damage factional opponents, and the episode has sparked a debate about the acceptable interpersonal behaviour in the cut-throat world of politics.
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On Sunday Senator Wong said “common decency” should be demonstrated when someone had died. “I would invite some of those making claims and sharing views to consider and reflect on whether or not they have demonstrated that now,” she said.
Senator Wong described her late colleague as an “extraordinary politician” who was fiercely committed to the things she believed in and relentless in pursuing them. “Politics is challenging … I’ve no doubt at times we say and do things, all of us … without thinking about the impact on others. And we should reflect on that.”
Prime Minister Scott Morrison accused Labor of living in “a crystal cathedral” while being “pretty quick to throw stones” over accusations of misbehaviour.
“These are very serious issues, and they’re serious issues that Anthony Albanese has to deal with,” he said.
“This is on his watch. This only happened weeks ago, weeks ago, and he can’t duck and run on this.”
With Katina Curtis
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Andrews, Albanese, Abbott, Wong arrive for Kimberley Kitching’s funeral
Source: Philippines Alive
