Senator Kimberley Kitching's widower has referenced a "cantankerous cabal" of Labor infighting, as hundreds gathered to farewell the "daring, courageous and resilient" 52-year-old politician.
Family, friends, state and federal politicians from both major parties have attended a funeral service for the Victorian Labor senator, who died from a suspected heart attack on 10 March.
More than 20 years ago Senator Kitching and her husband, Andrew Landeryou, had married at Melbourne's St Patrick's Cathedral, where she was farewelled on Monday.
Her casket was adorned with an Australian flag and flowers, alongside a large floral "Kimba" sign, her nickname to friends and family.
Opposition Leader Anthony Albanese, Deputy Prime Minister Barnaby Joyce, Defence Minister Peter Dutton, Attorney-General Michaelia Cash and Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews all attended the service.
Following her death, reports emerged the senator was ostracised and bullied by members of Labor's Senate leadership team.
Three Labor senators accused in the media of bullying - Kristina Keneally, Penny Wong and Katy Gallagher - all attended Monday's service.
The Leader of the Opposition in the Senate Penny Wong (centre) arrives ahead of the funeral service for Senator Kimberley Kitching at St Patrick's Cathedral. Source: AAP / Joel Carrett
"Kimberley's political and moral judgement was vastly superior to the small number who opposed her internally," he told mourners.
"Of course there's a lot I could say about the unpleasantness of a cantankerous cabal, not all of them in parliament, that was aimed at Kimba.
"But I hope it's sufficient to say, she deserved so very much better."
Andrew Landeryou, the husband of late Senator Kimberley Kitching speaks during her funeral service at St Patrick's Cathedral in Melbourne, 21 March, 2022. Source: AAP / JOEL CARRET
"Her friends and ferociously loyal staff are angry about how she was treated, of course they are, and I have no quarrel with them about that," he said.
"But if I'm angry with anyone, I'm angry at myself.
"I'm angry I wasn't driving her on that busy day, because I often did. I'm angry I didn't meddle enough in her health, I'm angry I failed and failed again to persuade her to slow down."
Former Labor leader Bill Shorten remembered his close friend as a defender of freedom, a democrat and trade unionist who always favoured the underdog.
"To know Kimberley Kitching was to be dazzled and comforted by her warmth and serene intelligence," he said.
He pointed to her achievements at home and abroad and spoke about an Afghan refugee named Roya, whom Senator Kitching helped bring to Australia when Kabul fell to the Taliban in August 2021.
"Roya is safe and has started her new life in Melbourne. Roya is here today," he said, pointing her out in the crowd.
"She is not the only one, Kimberley helped rescue 30 different people as Kabul fell. Thirty separate lives changed, saved, because of Kimberley, what a legacy."
Former Opposition Leader Bill Shorten speaks during the funeral service for Senator Kimberley Kitching at St Patrick's Cathedral in Melbourne. Source: AAP / JOEL CARRETT
"Kimberley brought to Australian politics a worldview that transcended narrow partisan boundaries," he said.
"She had a clear moral compass, to which she always held true. She believed in and championed Australian democracy."
