Albanese apologises for podcast comments about Kylie Minogue

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese issued a clear apology on Monday for his comments made on the comedy podcast 'Bush Deep' with comedian Nikki Osborne. During the lighthearted interview, Osborne asked Albanese to play a game of 'shag, marry, date' with Kylie Minogue, Nicole Kidman, and Rhonda Burchmore.

Albanese initially hesitated, citing his recent marriage: 'I just got married, I’m only six months in.' Osborne replied: 'But if it goes tits up, let’s just pretend.' Albanese then said: 'Kylie, clearly.' When Osborne asked if he would marry, shag, and date Minogue, the PM replied 'all of the above', adding 'she’s terrific'.

In another part of the interview, Osborne asked if Albanese and his wife Jodie Haydon were 'bonking like rabbits' after their wedding. Albanese joked: 'Well, when we have time. After the footy. A Souths [Sydney Rabbitohs] win is always a good aphrodisiac.'

On Monday morning, the PM’s office released a one-line statement from Albanese: 'I apologise unequivocally for the comments.'

Criticism came from several politicians, including independent MP Zali Steggall, who said it was 'entirely inappropriate' and called on Albanese to 'learn to push back, lead by example and call it out as sexist'. Liberal shadow minister Sarah Henderson said the remarks were 'disrespectful to women, embarrassing to Australians, and demean the office of Prime Minister'.

Acting Prime Minister Richard Marles defended Albanese, highlighting the government’s record on gender equality: 'This is the first government in our nation’s history with equality in cabinet numbers and with a majority of women in the caucus. The gender pay gap is at its lowest ever.'

Albanese was in Fiji meeting PM Sitiveni Rabuka and planned to travel to the Solomon Islands before returning to Brisbane to host leaders from Tonga and Papua New Guinea at the State of Origin rugby league decider.