Labor front bencher Penny Wong has denied bullying her late Senate colleague Kimberley Kitching but admitted she had used "insensitive" words in one exchange.
Senator Wong was speaking with Nine Network Political Editor Chris Uhlmann on Today after ongoing reports of a culture of bullying within the Labor Party.
"No, I did not," Senator Wong replied when questioned about the bullying reports.
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She said the death of Senator Kitching - whose funeral will be held tomorrow - was an "immeasurable loss".
But Senator Wong admitted in one discussion with Senator Kitching she had told her: "Well if you had children, you might understand why there is a climate emergency".
Senator Wong admitted she had used "insensitive" words but had not tried to personally attack her.
"My motivation was to express the distress that many children feel about climate change," she said.
"But what I said was insensitive. I regret it. I apologised, as I should, when I became aware that she - how she felt about it."
Senator Kitching, who died from a suspected heart attack aged 52 earlier this month, had reportedly told senior Labor figures she had been bullied, while ex-MP Emma Husar has said she suffered similar treatment.
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Senator Wong, along with fellow Labor Senators Kristina Keneally and Katy Gallagher, released a statement last week following ongoing reports of a culture of bullying within the Labor Party.
"The allegations of bullying are untrue. Other assertions which have been made are similarly inaccurate," the trio said.
Senator Wong today stood by those remarks and said they did not want to comment on the bullying reports out of respect for their late colleague.
"There have been many views shared and some claims made. We put out a statement which made clear - I again make clear today - we have chosen not to respond."
Opposition Leader Anthony Albanese is resisting calls to launch an inquiry into the bullying claims.
Kimberley Kitching will be farewelled at a funeral in Melbourne tomorrow.
