(Cover) - EN Showbiz - Khlo Kardashian insists she is "so protective and defensive" of sister Kim.

The pair have flown to Australia with Khlo's husband Lamar Odom to promote their handbag line. Their trip comes in the wake of Kim's decision to divorce husband of 72 days Kris Humphries.

Kim has categorically denied that the wedding was a publicity stunt, and Khlo supports her big sister's decision to end her short-lived romance.

"I am so protective and defensive," Khlo told Australia's Telegraph.

"I want to stand up and say to everyone, 'That's not true,' and yell at people, but I can't do that. No matter what, whether you're at your best, you're always going to have your critics saying something."

Khlo insists Kim has a very big heart, and would never go to the extent of marrying someone for exposure.

The 27-year-old star says Kim, 31, is one of the most thoughtful people she has ever come across, which is why it angers her to read such reports.

"Kim is like my heart and soul, and she's been so strong in coming on this trip. I just love, love, love that she believes in love the way she does. It's what makes her the way she is... There are not many people like that," she explained.

"When Kim loves, she loves hard, and that's for her girlfriends, that's for anybody.

"I really respect that and that's her work ethic. She loves to design, she loves that too - it's not just with a man."

Meanwhile, Kim's mother Kris Jenner, has defended her daughter's decision to end her marriage. The 55-year-old star appeared on the Today show this morning to clear up some of the recent misconceptions surrounding Kim.

"It makes me feel sad that some people are reacting that way," she said of the negative reaction surrounding Kim's decision. "It certainly wasn't a sham, certainly wasn't for TV. We have enough going on on our show that we don't have to make things up.

"She felt that she was in love with him. It was an amazing time. I had no idea there was a problem at the time. It saddens all of us." (C) Cover Media