Michaelia Cash (WA, Liberal Party, Deputy Leader of the Government in the Senate) Share this | Hansard source

I too rise today to pay tribute to someone who was without a doubt a fierce political opponent, but, more importantly, to honour, respect and remember a friend.

From the moment, as we've heard, that Kimberley Kitching stepped into this place, it was without a doubt for all of us she would be and become a formidable senator. Her intellect, thoughtfulness, humble disposition and passion for our great country, Australia, was on display in her maiden speech. Those qualities, however, did not end there, as we've heard, and many more admiral traits were shown by Kimberley in the years that she spent as a senator in this chamber.

Many who have spoken before me today have reflected on the words that Kimberley used in that maiden speech, which, Mr President, says something to me: people listened. They listened to and they took on board what Kimberley said the first time she formally spoke in this chamber. And then today they have remembered her by the words that she used in that speech. In that speech, she well and truly set the tone for the sort of senator she would be and the type of person that we have heard reflected on today when she said the following:

I am mindful and deeply humbled that only 591 Australians have ever served in the Senate. I am mindful that so much that is great about this nation comes from rising to meet challenges.

…   …   …

God gave us boundless plains to share, and mostly that is what we have done. We have shared. While other nations struggle with diversity, we have excelled and bloomed because of it. Our future prosperity is deeply connected with the huge benefits, in terms of trade and investment, that diversity brings. Diversity is central to our competitive advantage.

She then went on to say, 'Our history as a people is truly exceptional in the literal meaning of that world.' Again, Mr President, these are words that others have today quoted, which shows that Kimberley's words actually had an impact. She said:

In this parliament, we must proudly make the case for Australian exceptionalism. Australia is not exceptional because we have been divinely mandated, or because of some inherent quality unasked and unearned; Australia is exceptional precisely because generations of Australians have made hard choices and hard sacrifices.

…   …   …

I do not shy away from this high goal to secure an exceptional future for Australia. I rely on an old inspiring quote: 'And to the love and favour of my country I commit myself, my person and the cause.'

I would strongly contend that in the way that Kimberley conducted herself in this place, and from the words that we heard as we said goodbye to her recently and in particular from the words that have already been stated in the chamber today, she lived up to—she well and truly lived up to—the high standards that she set for herself in that first speech. She definitely pursued the high goal to secure an exceptional future for Australia.

Without a doubt, Kimberley Kitching had a real impact on this nation and on this place—and I do note that it's something that's not always easy to do from the opposition benches, but that did not stop Kimberley. She campaigned, as we have heard and has been so appropriately recognised at the highest level, relentlessly and passionately for a Magnitsky-style act so that Australia could impose sanctions on human rights violators just like our allies Britain, the US and Canada do. As we have also heard, and as senators in this chamber know, the Autonomous Sanctions Amendment (Magnitsky-style and Other Thematic Sanctions) Bill passed through both houses late last year and is now being utilised by the government, under the guidance of Senator Marise Payne, our foreign minister, to impose sanctions against Russia.

It was fitting that Kimberley was appropriately honoured in 2021 with the Sergei Magnitsky Human Rights Award at a ceremony in London. The businessman who presented her with that award, Bill Browder, paid this tribute to Kimberley:

"Losing Kimberley is a terrible tragedy for her family, her friends, Australia and the world …

"Kimberley was a brave justice warrior who never stood down or was intimidated by the evil regimes she advocated against.

"She deeply believed in justice and truth and was ready to take risks to help the dispossessed.

It is clear her passionate campaigning and fighting for what she believed in, for what she would not compromise on, clearly had an impact not just here in Australia, but around the world. Without a doubt, Kimberley was a true patriot who stood firm in the protection of Australia's democracy.

It is instructive to examine the types of words that have been consistently used to describe Kimberley since her tragic passing. Some of the words that have been used most often are 'brave', 'daring', 'courageous' and 'resilient', and I do note that those words have been used by people right across the political spectrum. The thing about Kimberley was, even if you did not agree with her politics, you could admire the qualities that she displayed. I would personally add, as some in the chamber have, 'wonderfully warm' and 'compassionate' to those words that have already been used to describe Kimberley. We heard at her funeral, and it was just such a beautiful reflection, the wonderful story of how she went above and beyond to help a young Afghan woman flee the country by getting her to photograph herself in a yellow scarf. Kimberley then got that photo to an Australian soldier at the Kabul airport gate. Kimberley went on to help rescue at least 30 people as Kabul fell. Her compassion was always on display. We also heard from her husband, Andrew—her soulmate, as she often described you—about the great love story that their life together had been. My condolences and thoughts go out to you, Andrew—her husband and soulmate—and to her mum; her dad; her brother, Ben; her family; and, of course, all of her friends—and I honour Diana here in the chamber today.

As I said at the commencement of my speech, it was very obvious when Kimberley came into this place what an accomplished, formidable senator she would make, and that is today what we're all reflecting on. But as I got to know her, as so many did, over the years, I discovered what a wonderful person she truly was. We regularly swapped stories and pictures—there is a group of us in this chamber—of our fur babies. It doesn't matter what side of politics you're on; if you are a fur baby lover, you're on the group.

Kimberley has been described as politically brave, but, as Senator McKenzie reflected, she put her bravery on display in other ways. I remember one day we were in the chamber and we were in a division. Kimberley, as always, was beautifully, impeccably dressed—always so well presented. She came over and sat down with us. She had a bandage on her hand, and we said: 'Kimberley, seriously, what's happened? Tell us the story.' There were rolling divisions, so we had some time sitting together. She literally launched into, as Bridget has said, this blow-by-blow analysis of when they had arrived at the national park. As they got out of the car, Andrew went off to do something, Kimberley and Nancy-Jane went for a walk and there was this terrible incident. There was a snake, and Kimberley was defending her child, poor Nancy-Jane. Nancy-Jane was then saved from the terrible snake. We said, 'That's all great, but what happened to your hand?' She said, 'Oh, I was bitten by the snake.' That was the least of her worries; Nancy-Jane was okay. That's what I loved so much about Kimberley. She would do anything to protect her beautiful Nancy-Jane.

So as we say goodbye formally in the chamber: Kimberley, I will miss, like so many, your wonderful company. I am so sorry I never got to try hot yoga with you and I'm also really sorry that, like so many of us, we didn't get to catch up the last time we were in Melbourne. Kimberley, you left us far too soon. Rest in peace.