If hypocrisy was a renewable energy source, Parliament would power the world, in perpetuity. Of course, we all know that a politician is a hypocrite, but sometimes the sheer, colossal brass of some politicians sets a staggering new bar for chutzpah. Yesterday, Australia’s Senate was witness to a display that had more front than not just Myers, but all of Bourke St, from Southern Cross Station to the steps of Spring Street.
Since Labor senator Kimberley Kitching’s sudden death, last week, accusations have been flung — some of them posthumously, from the late senator’s emails and text messages — of a culture of female bullying in the Labor party, which allegedly contributed to Kitching’s passing. In particular, Kitching pointed the finger at a trio of “mean girls”: Labor’s star female politicians, Penny Wong, Kristina Keneally and Kate Gallagher.
Yesterday’s Senate session was given over to condolence motions for the late senator. First off was, unbelievably, Penny Wong.
Labor’s Senate leader Penny Wong has paid tribute to late Labor senator Kimberley Kitching in the Senate chamber, remembering her as a fierce advocate for human rights […]
Senator Wong said Kitching will be remembered for her track record on human rights and as a person who “did not lack courage” as she referenced her role in the Magnitsky legislation on human rights abuses.
As reported by the BFD, Kitching had long pushed Labor to support a Magnitsky Act in Australia, allowing sanctions on individuals rather than entire governments. Wong had steadily rubbished the idea — until celebrity human rights activist Amal Clooney got on board. Within days, Wong was announcing Labor’s new policy, and acting as if it was her own idea.
Wong wisely avoided Kitching’s funeral, but it seems that Labor leader Anthony Albanese is prepared to make his leading ladies eat a big ol’ poo sandwich, in the hopes of putting the whole affair to bed. For her part, Wong resorted to self-aggrandised pontification.
Senator Wong said there had been some “misplaced anger and blame” in the wake of her death.
“I will not return anger with anger, or blame with blame … Senator Kitching deserves her life and legacy to be celebrated and remembered,” she said.
But Wong was not the only mean girl putting on a big, brass front.
Opposition Home Affairs spokeswoman Kristina Keneally has described Kimberley Kitching as no “shrinking violet” who was “never to be underestimated” in her tribute to the late Senator.
Amid allegations she was part of a trio who bullied, ostracised and isolated the late Senator from key Labor tactics meetings, Keneally said she was never “manipulated by others” in her time in politics.
The Australian
As female politicians caught out behaving badly are wont to do, Gallagher is trying to play the wounded feminist card.
Senator Gallagher, who on Sunday said the phrase “mean girls” was an unfortunate term that diminished women, told the parliament she had “reflected deeply” on her interactions with Kitching and would “continue to do this”, while Senator Keneally took aim at those seeking to politicise her death.
“Those who use … the grief caused by her death for purposes other than honouring her life and her work will find no friend in me,” she said. “Others have had a lot to say and write about this issue and some of what’s been suggested … Today, in this place, I will treat her life and legacy as I did prior to her tragic death – with deep respect for her deep intelligence and capacity.”
The Australian
As Judge Judy famously said, “don’t piss on my leg and tell me it’s raining”.