Victorian Labor senator Kimberley Kitching has been remembered by her family as "daring, courageous and resilient" at her funeral service in Melbourne.
The 52-year-old died of a suspected heart attack earlier this month after pulling over to the side of the road while driving her car.
The service is being held at St Patrick's Cathedral.
Senator Kitching's husband Andrew Landeryou recalled the pair's marriage taking place in the same cathedral more than two decades ago.
"It feels like yesterday... that I saw her walking in, her customary 45 minutes late, looking absolutely radiant," he said.
"As she did, the sun streamed down directly on her as she stepped toward our married life."
Mr Landeryou said there was much about that day that spoke volumes about Senator Kitching, who "didn't believe in half measures".
"Many of our friends here today stood with us that day and I see your faces and your tears, because you've stood with us every day since," he said.
He thanks those who travelled "the length and breadth of this land" to celebrate his wife, including "dear friends and old foes".
Mr Landeryou described how his wife, originally from Brisbane, grew to love Melbourne "with the zealousness of a convert".
He said one of her final acts before her death was going out of her way to buy him a pie from his favourite bakery.
"It's a poignant reminder to me of her thoughtfulness even when she had a lot on her mind," he said.
"Other than call me, I think it was the last thing she did."
Husband describes 'Kimba's light'
Mr Landeryou described meeting Senator Kitching at a Young Labor weekend during the early 1990s, and described her life as "daring and courageous and resilient and magnificently impactful" as well as "tragically short".
He said many had been touched by "Kimba's light".
Mr Landeryou addressed the internal Labor party issues that have been in the spotlight since Senator Kitching's death.
Since she died, it has emerged that she disclosed allegations of bullying by others within the ALP to a parliament workplace trainer in November last year.
Those close to her, including former Labor leader Bill Shorten, have publicly questioned the toll stress resulting from internal party politics may have taken on Senator Kitching's health in the lead-up to her death.
"The simple truth of it is that Kimberley's political and moral judgement was vastly superior to the small number who opposed her internally," Mr Landeryou said.
He said there was a lot he could say about a "cantankerous cabal" that was "aimed at Kimba".
"The intensity of it did baffle and hurt her," he said.
Mr Landeryou said the vast majority of the Labor family were welcoming, supportive and admiring of his wife.
Senator Kitching's father, William, described how his daughter's values drove her involvement in public life.
"Kimberley believed that each human life had worth and individuality and was imbued with definable human rights," he said.
"These concepts, she believed, were extendable to the behaviour of nations and so she was a staunch supporter of democracies and democratic aspirations, whether incipient or nascent."
He said she "did make a difference, through respectful, not vengeful, public discourse".
"Today we honour Kim's good life and trust that our present sense of almost paralysing grief and deep melancholia will be gradually banished by joyful memories of an engaging woman and daughter whom we knew so well," Mr Kitching said.
Kitching's 'intellect, warmth' remembered by Senate colleagues
A statement read out by Senator Don Farrell on behalf of Senate President Slade Brockman described Senator Kitching's death as a "great shock and sadness".
Her "intellect, depth of commitment and warmth" were praised by Senator Brockman.
Mr Shorten eulogised his loss of Senator Kitching as a friend and confidante.
"We are here to farewell our sister, our comrade. What is left to be said?" Mr Shorten said.
"The passing of this remarkable, valiant woman leaves a great hole. A black hole almost, with its own gravity, the kind caused by the collapse of a massive star."
Ahead of the funeral, Labor leader Anthony Albanese paid tribute to the senator on social media.
"Kimberley was formidable, passionate and courageous," he wrote.
"She was the life of any room she walked into.
"She will be missed by those who knew her, and many more who didn't."
During her time in politics, Senator Kitching's passion for foreign affairs and national security issues shone through in her work, including in her push for the establishment of Magnitsky-style laws in Australia.
The laws enable the Australian government to sanction individuals and entities responsible for behaviour like threatening international peace and serious human rights violations, instead of only being able to sanction entire countries.
A representative of the Dalai Lama also spoke at the service, describing Senator Kitching as "a steadfast friend and supporter of the Tibetan community".
