Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese issued an apology on Monday after a crude remark about singer Kylie Minogue during a comedy podcast interview prompted public criticism from women’s rights groups and members of the opposition.
The exchange took place when podcast host Nikki Osborne asked Albanese to choose among three Australian female celebrities who he would "marry, date or 'shag'" - the latter being a vulgar Australian term referring to sex. Albanese initially declined to engage on the question, saying he was recently married. Osborne then pressed him, asking who he would select "if his marriage broke down." In response, Albanese said, "Kylie, clearly."
Osborne followed up: "You’d marry Kylie, and shag her, and date her?" Albanese replied, "All of the above."
The comments attracted criticism from several opposition lawmakers. Senator Sarah Henderson described the remarks as "disrespectful to women, embarrassing to Australians and demean the office of Prime Minister." In a statement released on Monday, Albanese said, "I apologise unequivocally for the comments."
A spokesperson for Kylie Minogue did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
The incident unfolded in a context many Australians recognise: a political culture that often includes informal, light-hearted questioning on topics such as pop culture and sport. Even so, the specific phrasing and the explicit nature of the question prompted an unusually strong reaction from critics who said the exchange was inappropriate given the office held by the prime minister.
Context and reaction
While the country’s informal media environment frequently features offbeat or personal questions for public figures, this episode led to public reproach and a formal apology from the prime minister. The immediate responses included statements from opposition politicians and acknowledgement from the prime minister himself that the remarks were unacceptable.
What was said
- Host Nikki Osborne asked Albanese which of three Australian female celebrities he would "marry, date or 'shag'" - with "shag" identified as a vulgar term for sex.
- Albanese initially declined, referencing his recent marriage, then answered "Kylie, clearly" when pressed about a hypothetical divorce.
- When Osborne restated the trio of options, Albanese replied "All of the above."
Official response
Albanese apologised "unequivocally for the comments." Senator Sarah Henderson criticised the remarks as disrespectful and damaging to the office. A representative for Minogue had not immediately replied to requests for comment.
The incident remains a timely reminder of the tension that can arise when informal media formats intersect with public office, and of the rapidity with which remarks in that setting can prompt political backlash.