Prime Minister Anthony Albanese apologised on Monday after making a crude remark about singer Kylie Minogue in a comedy podcast interview, prompting outrage from women’s rights groups and opposition lawmakers. Albanese was asked by host Nikki Osborne which of three Australian female celebrities he would marry, date or “shag” — a vulgar term in Australia referring to sex. Albanese initially declined to respond, saying he was recently married, but Osborne pressed, asking who he would choose if his marriage broke down, and Albanese replied, “Kylie, clearly.” “You’d marry Kylie, and shag her, and date her?” Osborne said. “All of the above,” Albanese replied. The exchange was recorded and shared on social media, quickly gaining widespread attention and criticism.
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Albanese was criticised by several opposition lawmakers, with senator Sarah Henderson saying the comments were “disrespectful to women, embarrassing to Australians and demean the office of Prime Minister.” “I apologise unequivocally for the comments,” Albanese said in a statement on Monday. A spokesperson for Minogue did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The incident quickly became a political flashpoint, with the opposition using it to question the prime minister’s judgment and respect for women. The prime minister’s apology was swift and unequivocal, reflecting an acknowledgment that the comments had crossed a line, and he emphasised that he holds Minogue in the highest regard as an artist and cultural icon.
Australia is famed for its informal culture, and politicians in the country are frequently quizzed during interviews on issues including pop culture and sport. However, the nature of the comments and the setting of the podcast raised questions about the boundaries of acceptable political discourse. Some commentators argued that the prime minister was simply participating in a light-hearted segment and that the outrage was overblown, while others maintained that a national leader should maintain a higher standard of decorum. The incident served as a reminder of the scrutiny that public figures face in the digital age, where even offhand remarks can be amplified and scrutinised.
