Australian PM apologises for 'shag' comment about Kylie Minogue on podcast

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has issued an "unequivocal" apology after stating he would "shag" Australian singer Kylie Minogue during a game on the Bush Deep podcast. The controversial remarks came when host Nikki Osborne asked Albanese to play a "shag, marry, date" game, presenting him with choices including Minogue, Nicole Kidman, and Rhonda Burchmore.

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I apologise unequivocally for the comments.

Initially hesitant, citing his recent marriage, Albanese eventually responded "Oh, Kylie clearly" when pressed about hypothetical marital breakdown. He further elaborated with "All of the above" when asked if he would marry, shag, and date Minogue. The podcast also featured comments about his sex life with his wife, Jodie Haydon, and his views on football team victories as an aphrodisiac.

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He needs to learn to push back, lead by example and call it out as sexist.

The Prime Minister's comments have drawn sharp criticism from female parliamentarians. Community Strong MP Zali Steggall labeled the remarks "entirely inappropriate," stating Albanese should have refused to participate and instead called out the game as sexist. Shadow Communications Minister Sarah Henderson echoed these sentiments, calling the comments "grubby" and indicative of "extremely poor judgement."

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Australians deserve better than this.

Henderson added that Albanese's "crude locker room talk makes a mockery of Labor's claim to be champions of women." In response, government frontbencher Tanya Plibersek defended the government's record on women's equality, noting the cabinet's gender balance, while Acting Prime Minister Richard Marles emphasized the government's commitment to elevating women in society.

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If what the prime minister is saying is that he's a fan of Kylie Minogue, I guess that puts him in a group with millions of other Australians, including me.