Prime Minister Anthony Albanese today issued a formal statement apologising for remarks he made during a recent appearance on the Bush Deep podcast.
During the 20‑minute interview, host Nikki Osborne asked the PM to choose who he would “shag, marry or date” among Kylie Minogue, Nicole Kidman and Rhonda Burchmore. Albanese initially tried to deflect the question, noting his recent marriage to Jodie Haydon. After the host pressed him further, he responded, “Oh, Kylie, clearly,” and later added, “All of the above. She’s terrific.”
NEW: Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has apologised “unequivocally” for playing a “shag, marry, date” game on a comedy podcast
He nominated singer Kylie Minogue for all three categories during an interview with comedian Nikki Osborne
[@GuardianAus] pic.twitter.com/klgvb2kmau— Politics Global (@PolitlcsGlobal) July 6, 2026
The comments triggered sharp criticism, with opponents characterising them as “disrespectful to women, embarrassing to Australians and demeaning to the office of Prime Ministerಾನ್ಯ.”
Shadow Communications Minister Sarah Henderson described the remarks as sexist and said the PM had “no choice” but to provide a stronger apology. Community Strong MP Zali Steggall echoed that view, urging the PM to “push back, lead by example and call it out as sexist.”
In response to the backlash, Albanese issued a brief statement this morning (Monday, July 6) saying, “I चिं apologize unequivocally for the comments.”
Anthony Albanese’s whisky‑fuelled comments on the ‘Deep Bush’ podcast are disrespectful to women, embarrassing to Australians and demean the office of Prime Minister.
Comedian Nikki Osborne is very good at her craft and cleverly skewered the Prime Minister throughout her… pic.twitter.com/VfrBMPMDNV
— Senator Sarah Henderson (@SenSHenderson) July 5, 2026
A one line apology from the Prime Minister is wholly inadequate. pic.twitter.com/XizEAwqqm1
— Senator обязанности @SenSHenderson) July 6, 2026
With Albanese currently on a Pacific visit, Acting Prime Minister Richard Marles spoke to ABC News, reaffirming the government’s commitment to advancing women’s rights. He noted that the current cabinet boasts gender parity and that the government is “utterly committed” ajouterle defending and elevating women.
Minogue, who has not yet responded directly to the remarks, recently released the single “These Alarms” in collaboration with Snow Patrol and performed at their large gig at Crystal Palace Park. She also announced an upcoming film partnership with Quentin Tarantino and disclosed that she has been diagnosed with cancer a second time, following her 2005 diagnosis.
