Australian PM apologises for 'inappropriate' Kylie Minogue comments

Anthony Albanese has apologised “unequivocally” for comments he made about popstar Kylie Minogue in a podcast interview, after a wave of condemnation from politicians. The Australian prime minister appeared on the Bush Deep podcast with comedian Nikki Osborne, who asked him during a 20-minute interview whether he would “shag, marry or date” Minogue, actress Nicole Kidman or entertainer Rhonda Burchmore. After initially trying to avoid the question, Albanese replied, “Oh, Kylie, clearly.” Pressed by Osborne whether he would “marry Kylie, and shag her, and date her?”, he acquiesced, “All of the above. She's terrific.” The remarks were made at the prime minister’s official residence in Canberra; the interview was released at the end of last week. Albanese, who married his partner Jodie Haydon in November, had initially responded, “I've just got married, I'm only six months in.” But the backlash was swift. Community Strong MP Zali Steggall called the remarks “entirely inappropriate”, adding that he “needs to learn to push back, lead by example and call it out as sexist”. Shadow Communications Minister Sarah Henderson said in a post on X the comments were “disrespectful to women, embarrassing to Australians and demean the office of Prime Minister.” In a one-line statement issued early on Monday, Albanese said: “I apologise unequivocally for the comments.” Richard Marles, who is acting prime minister while Albanese is on a visit to the Pacific, told ABC that the government was “utterly committed” to the elevation of women in society, adding that the cabinet under Albanese is the first in history with gender equality in numbers. Osborne, best known for posting crude comedy sketches on YouTube, launched her podcast series earlier this year. Her site describes her as a “wildly inappropriate journalist” who asks “questions no one else would dare”. The apology comes as Albanese faces continued scrutiny over his judgment in agreeing to the interview.