“I find it astonishing that in 2022,I get a question using the term ‘mean girls’. I find that extraordinarily disrespectful to describe strong,articulate,principled women like Penny Wong,Katy Gallagher and Kristina Keneally[that way],” he told media on Wednesday,referring to the figures named in a report.
“I find it astonishing and a throwback. Decades. Decades. And when I saw that headline this morning,I just thought it was disrespectful to them.”
Senator Kitching died after suffering a heart attack while pulled over to the side of the road in her car in Melbourne last Thursday.
Asked during a separate interview with Channel Nine whether he would look into claims about Senator Kitching’s adverse treatment,Mr Albanese replied,“no,I’m going to pay respect to Kimberley Kitching by treating her with the respect that she deserves”.
Asked whether there was a cultural problem with senior women in the ALP,Mr Albanese again answered,“no”.
However,former Labor MP Michael Danby,a friend of Senator Kitching,said on Wednesday the Victorian senator’s treatment was “nothing short of bullying”.