Australian Prime Minister apologises for comments about Kylie Minogue on podcast
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Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said he was sorry after remarks about Kylie Minogue on a comedy podcast drew criticism from MPs and the public.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese issued an unequivocal apology after his response to a question on a comedy podcast was criticised as inappropriate. During a 20-minute interview on the Bush Deep podcast hosted by comedian Nikki Osborne, Albanese was asked whether he would "shag, marry or date" pop star Kylie Minogue, actress Nicole Kidman and entertainer Rhonda Burchmore. He initially replied, "I've just got married, I'm only six months in," before later apologising for the comment.
Members of parliament, including Community Strong MP Zali Steggall, called the remarks "entirely inappropriate" and said they were disrespectful to women and demeaned the office of prime minister. Acting prime minister Richard Marles told ABC that the government remains "utterly committed" to advancing women’s equality and highlighted that his cabinet is the first in Australian history with gender parity.
Osborne, who launched the podcast earlier this year, describes herself on the show’s website as a "wildly inappropriate journalist" who asks questions others would not. Albanese also recounted receiving a "strange but quite good" gift of two melons from Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi during a recent overseas visit.
