Thursday, 7 April 2022

Senator Kimberley Kitching

Ms HUTCHINS (Sydenham—Minister for Crime Prevention, Minister for Corrections, Minister for Youth Justice, Minister for Victim Support) (09:41): I rise to acknowledge the passing of Senator Kimberley Kitching. Kimberley was an outstanding senator, colleague and champion of democracy in our federal Parliament. Kimberley leaves behind a long life’s journey of service and dedication to the Australian community. From her role as a unionist in the Health Services Union, her dedication as a local councillor for Melbourne City Council to her role as a senator in the federal Parliament representing Victoria, Kimberley has always been a champion for her community. Kimberley’s long list of achievements will be etched into our country’s history. She made a huge impact on our country and our society with her campaigning for the Magnitsky-style laws allowing Australia to impose sanctions on human rights violators, her efforts in helping rescue families from Afghanistan as Kabul fell and her hard work and dedication in helping Australian Victorian families and workers.

To know Kimberley was to know someone full of passion; she was full of dedication and commitment. As I attended the 25th anniversary of the Nepalese Association of Victoria’s celebrations on Sunday night I thought of Kimberley. I know she would have been there; she probably would have been on my table. Fifty-two is way too young to go. Kimberley will forever be remembered for her hard work, and Victoria is lucky to have had someone as passionate as her representing us in Canberra. I give my condolences to her family and to her partner, Andrew Landeryou.