Liberal senator Simon Birmingham has paid tribute to the late Kimberley Kitching by reading from her maiden speech to parliament.
Senator Birmingham was among an eclectic mix of senators from across the political spectrum who on Monday shared their memories of the Labor senator during a parliamentary tribute.
The politicians had arrived at Parliament House for their first sitting week since Senator Kitching’s sudden death from a suspected heart attack on March 10 at the age of 52.
Senator Birmingham began his tribute by quoting several passages from the first-term Victorian senator’s maiden speech, saying her words still carried weight and rang true.
“It is time to decide what kind of parliament we will be. Will we live down to the cynicism of the community about politicians? Or will we show leadership in challenging days,” he said.
“It is time to decide what kind of country we are. Will we shirk the decisions that face us? Or will we once again rise to the moment and choose what is hard, what is complex and what is right?”
Senator Kitching had also said in 2016: “It is time to decide what kind of party the Labor Party will be. Will we be seduced by the glamour of narrow interest-group politics, or will we continue to fight for all Australians?”
Senator Birmingham on Monday said his colleague had lived up to the ideals she set for herself in that speech and contributed to the “exceptionalism” of Australia.
He was not the only senator who referred to Senator Kitching’s maiden speech in the tributes, with others noting her passion for foreign affairs and her enthusiasm for bridging partisan division to tackle important issues.
A single white rose had been left on her empty desk on Monday, while her husband Andrew Landeryou watched on.
Senator Kitching’s supporters have since her death detailed her private belief she had been ostracised and bullied by members of her own party and that she was facing a stressful preselection battle.
The bullying allegations have centred on Labor’s female Senate leadership team – Penny Wong, Kristina Keneally and Katy Gallagher – whom Senator Kitching is reported to have privately referred to as “mean girls”.
The trio has come out publicly to strongly deny the allegations.
Senators Wong and Keneally offered their own condolences to their late colleague in the Senate chamber on Monday.
Senator Keneally, dressed in all black, said people who had sought to use Senator Kitching’s death for political gain would find no friend in her.
“She was never to be underestimated. She made her own decisions. She was not manipulated by others in her career, her beliefs or her passions,” she said.
“Those who used her death for purposes other than honouring her life and her work will find no friend in me.”
Attorney-General Michaelia Cash and Emergency Management Minister Bridget McKenzie were among those who paid tribute from across the political aisle on Monday.
Social Services Minister Anne Ruston recalled a dinner party she had xjmtzywbeen invited to by One Nation Senator Pauline Hanson, which Senator Kitching and former Liberal Senator Mathias Cormann had also attended.
“I realised there was almost a cigarette paper of difference between the views on international affairs of Kimberley Kitching, Mathias Cormann and Pauline Hanson. I leave that one for you to consider,” Senator Ruston said.
Foreign Minister Marise Payne fought back tears as she said she and Senator Kitching had shared many of the same views, as well as a passion for human rights.
The Senate was adjourned for the rest of the day after the tributes concluded as a mark of respect.
