Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has issued an unequivocal apology for remarks made about popstar Kylie Minogue during a recent podcast appearance.
During a 20-minute interview on the Bush Deep podcast with comedian Nikki Osborne, Albanese was asked to rank celebrities Kylie Minogue, Nicole Kidman, and Rhonda Burchmore in a “shag, marry or date” scenario. Initially deflecting, citing his recent marriage to partner Jodie Haydon, he later stated, “Oh, Kylie, clearly,” followed by, “All of the above. She’s terrific.” The comments sparked criticism from lawmakers, including Community Strong MP Zali Steggall, who called the remarks “entirely inappropriate” and urged the Prime Minister to “push back” against such questions.
Shadow Communications Minister Sarah Henderson condemned the remarks as “disrespectful to women, embarrassing to Australians, and demeaning to the office of Prime Minister.” Acting Prime Minister Richard Marles, speaking while Albanese was abroad, emphasized the government’s commitment to gender equality, noting that the current cabinet has achieved historical parity in male and female representation.
In a brief statement, Albanese expressed regret, stating: “I apologize unequivocally for the comments.” The interview, conducted at the Prime Minister’s official residence in Canberra, also included a lighthearted exchange about an unusual gift from Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, though the focus remained on the backlash over his public remarks.