When politics kills: Kimberley Kitching, politics and bullying

Wong, however, has not denied making a hurtful comment to Senator Kitching during an ALP tactics meeting that took place in 2019. The session dealt with whether Labor would support a motion advanced by the Greens that children participating in climate change protests should be supported for expressing "civil disobedience". Kitching urged the party not to, as it would merely be a fatuous exercise of "virtue signalling". Some parents, she pointed out, might want their children at school.

In the exchange, Wong stroppily countered Kitching with that oldest, if condemned of political put downs. "Well, if you had children, you might understand why there is a climate emergency."

It was one she subsequently regretted and apologised for. "Senator Wong understood that apology was accepted. The comments that have been reported do not reflect Senator Wong's views, as those who knew her would understand, and she deeply regrets pain these reports have caused."

The treatment of Kitching has created a momentum that risks going the way of all others: that of an inquiry or an investigation. It would only do what others have done: reveal that the resume of most politicians requires bullying as a primary attribute. Any such process, in every other sense, is bound to resolve nothing and certainly do nothing for the late Senator.

In the meantime, Albanese is witnessing the politicisation of the entire matter, with Defence Minister Peter Dutton keen to drive it. "If Anthony Albanese, as leader of the Labor Party, is not going to initiate some process, then alternatives should be looked at," Dutton chirped.

This is also rich coming from a government minister whose own party has made bullying and harassment of party members and staffers the natural order of things. Former Liberal Party MP Julia Banks has much to say on the issue, having been called by her own party members and colleagues a "rich bitch", "nasty", and a "crazy corporate" woman. But this is an election year, and all bets are off.

Politics is cut, thrust and manipulation, the making of deals, the rough art of compromise. It is also, in a behavioural sense, prone to clubs and the clubbable factor – girls, boys and all in between. The inner bully comes roaring out; the cowardly gather in communion. Along the way, skulls are cracked, spiritual injuries inflicted yet unseen. Kitching was considered one of the better eggs who may have cracked. And as a better egg, she went.