In brief
- Anthony Albanese has apologised for comments made on comedian Nikki Osborne's podcast, Bush Deep.
- Albanese joked during the interview on Friday he would "shag, marry [and] date" Kylie Minogue if his marriage ended.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has apologised for crude comments made six months into his marriage, after being asked to name the Australian female celebrity he would choose over his wife during an appearance on a popular, larrikin-style comedy podcast.
In a brief statement issued by his office on Monday, Albanese said: "I apologise unequivocally for the comments."
During the sit-down with comedian Nikki Osborne on her show Bush Deep released on Friday, Albanese took part in a round of "shag, marry, date" in which he was asked to choose between pop singer Kylie Minogue, actor Nicole Kidman and entertainer Rhonda Burchmore. The video-first comedy series sees host Osborne interview guests under her no-filter alter ego, "Bushie".
Albanese initially declined to answer, noting he had recently married. But when Osborne pressed him on what he would say if his marriage were to end, he replied: "Oh, Kylie, clearly."
Further asked to confirm whether he meant he would marry, sleep with or date the singer, Albanese said: "All of the above. She's terrific."
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Elsewhere in the interview, Osborne asked whether Albanese and wife Jodie Haydon were "still bonking like rabbits," to which the prime minister answered "after the footy", adding that a South Sydney Rabbitohs win was "always a good aphrodisiac".
Footage of the exchange was shared widely online in the days following its release, prompting a mixed public response. Some criticised the comments as inappropriate for a sitting prime minister, while others defended the exchange as light-hearted and consistent with the podcast's irreverent style.
In addition to more traditional interviews with mainstream media, politicians across the political spectrum are increasingly seeking to engage with new media outlets and social media creators, often through lighthearted interviews with podcasters, online channels, and FM radio networks.
Colleagues rally around PM as backlash builds
Support for the prime minister has since arrived from within his own ranks. Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles, speaking on RN Breakfast on Monday, said Albanese had "obviously made an unequivocal apology" for the remarks.
Marles pointed to the government's record on gender representation, noting it was the first in the nation's history to achieve equal numbers of men and women in cabinet, and the first to have a majority of women in caucus.
He added that the prime minister remained "utterly committed to the place of women within our society and the elevation of women within our society".
Tanya Plibersek offered a similar defence. The social services minister told Sunrise on Monday she had not listened to the podcast herself, but noted that if Albanese was simply expressing admiration for Kylie Minogue, "that puts him in a group with millions of other Australians, including me".
Women's Minister Katy Gallagher and One Nation leader Pauline Hanson both declined on Sunday to say whether Albanese's remarks were appropriate.
Independent Fowler MP Dai Le was among the critics, describing the remarks as "unbecoming of a gentleman".
Speaking to the Today Show shortly after Albanese's podcast appearance, Le said certain language was not permitted in parliament, and suggested Albanese may have been trying to appeal to "another group, a target audience that don't mind that kind of language being used".
Warringah MP Zali Steggall similarly said it was "entirely inappropriate for the prime minister to participate in such a game".
Opposition communications spokesperson Sarah Henderson went further, arguing the comments "demean the office of prime minister" and sat at odds with Labor's claims to champion gender equality.
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