Federal Labor leader Anthony Albanese will push for an internal party award to be set up in Kimberley Kitching's name in the wake of the Victorian senator's sudden death.
Senator Kitching, who died on 10 March aged 52 of a suspected heart attack, was farewelled by her family and MPs from across the political spectrum in Melbourne on Monday.
Mr Albanese has written to the ALP national executive to ask for the establishment of a Kimberley Kitching Human Rights Award in recognition of her parliamentary work.
He said in the letter the award would go to "a member of the party who has demonstrated an outstanding commitment to the advancement of human rights in Australia or globally".
It would be presented at ALP national conferences, which take place every three years.
The national executive would call for nominations and the Labor leader would make a recommendation to the executive.
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
Following her death, reports emerged the senator had complained of being ostracised and bullied by members of Labor's Senate leadership team.
Labor MP Peter Khalil said the eulogy touched on politics being a tough game.
"When someone stands up like that on principle, you always get people attacking you and resisting you, and so I thought Andrew's eulogy was really beautiful," he told Sky News.
"We are grieving as a party. Many people who worked and were friends with Kimberley are feeling a lot of pain and emotion, raw emotion."
Mr Albanese has also committed to examining the party's internal processes and making any necessary improvements.
Mr Albanese and a cast of federal Labor MPs, Deputy Prime Minister Barnaby Joyce, Defence Minister Peter Dutton, Attorney-General Michaelia Cash, Finance Minister Simon Birmingham and Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews all attended the service.
Also present was former Liberal prime minister Tony Abbott and secretary of the Victorian branch of the CFMEU John Setka.
A file image of Labor Senator Kimberley Kitching. Source: AAP / MICK TSIKAS/AAPIMAGE
Nationals senator Matt Canavan, who also attended the service, said while the coalition was not aware of the stresses the late senator had been going through, an inquiry into the bullying allegations should take place.
"There should be some kind of inquiry here, if nothing else, just to ensure this doesn't happen again and we apply better standards," he said.
"Anthony Albanese has looked very weak over the past week ... he can't seem to stand up to the people in his own party, and if he can't do that, how's he going to stand up and defend Australia?"
