Kitching to take Conroy's Vic senate spot

Former union official Kimberley Kitching will fill Victoria's empty Senate spot replacing Labor right faction powerbroker Stephen Conroy.

Ms Kitching, also a former Melbourne city councillor, was selected unanimously by the Labor public office selection committee on Thursday evening.

There were eight nominations, all women, received by Thursday's cut off.

Ms Kitching and her husband Andrew Landeryou - who ran an often-defamatory blog until 2013 - have long been friends with Opposition Leader Bill Shorten.

In 2013, Ms Kitching also nominated for former prime minister Julia Gillard's seat of Lalor and Nicola Roxon's seat of Gellibrand.

She was hauled before the Royal Commission into Trade Union Governance and Corruption over official workplace tests.

Ms Kitching beat out Geelong Football Club director Diana Taylor, who also reportedly had strong support for the role.

Mr Conroy made the shock decision to retire in September, surprising his colleagues by resigning in a written speech tabled in parliament.