Anthony Albanese apologises ‘unequivocally’ for podcast comment about Kylie Minogue | Australia news
Anthony Albanese has “absolutely” apologized for comments he made while playing the “make love, marry, date” game on a comedy podcast when he nominated Kylie Minogue for three categories.
The Prime Minister made the statement on Monday morning following criticism he received for appearing on the Bush Deep podcast with comedian Nikki Osborne at the weekend.
In the midst of a lighthearted interview that aired late last week, which included Albanese’s dog and the gifts he received from world leaders, the host asked Albanese a “rapid fire” question to engage Kylie Minogue, Nicole Kidman and Rhonda Burchmore in a game of “make love, marry, date.”
Albanese was initially reluctant, responding: “I’ve just been married, I’ve only been six months old.”
Osborne replied: “But if it gets messy, let’s just pretend it is.”
Albanese later responded: “Kylie, obviously.”
Osborne insisted: “Would you marry Kylie, make love to her and date her?”
Albanese replied “all of the above” and added: “He’s amazing.”
In another part of the interview, Osborne asked if Albanese and his wife, Jodie Haydon, “have fun making out like rabbits.” Albanese jokingly replied: “Well, when we have time.
“After football. Always a good aphrodisiac, South [Sydney Rabbitohs] earning.”
On Monday morning, the prime minister’s office released a one-line statement from Albanese, saying: “I publicly apologize for the comments.”
In addition to more serious interviews with mainstream media platforms, politicians are increasingly trying to connect with new media outlets and social media creators to reach new audiences.
Politicians across the political spectrum regularly conduct more lighthearted interviews with podcasters and online channels, as well as FM radio networks.
Albanese was in Fiji on Monday for the leader to meet with the country’s prime minister, Sitiveni Rabuka. He was due to travel to the Solomon Islands this week to meet the country’s leader before returning to Brisbane to host the leaders of Tonga and Papua New Guinea in the rugby league State of Origin decider.
He has reportedly been criticized for his podcast comments by politicians including independent Zali Steggall and Liberal shadow minister Sarah Henderson. The Australian newspaper reported that Steggall said it was “completely inappropriate for the prime minister to take part in such a game” and that Albanese “must learn to step back, lead by example and call it sexist”.
Henderson reportedly said Albanese’s comments were “disrespectful to women, disgraceful to Australians and degrading to the Prime Minister’s office”.
Acting Prime Minister Richard Marles defended Albanese’s record on gender equality when asked about the interview, saying it was a “different” kind of conversation to what politicians normally have.
He told Radio National: “The Prime Minister has apologized unequivocally, so that’s the first point to make.” “I think we do interviews from time to time, which is clearly different from what you and I do now.
“The government headed by our Prime Minister is the first government in our country’s history to ensure equality between men and women in the cabinet. It is the first government in which women are the majority. Under this government, the gender wage gap is at the lowest level ever recorded. In other words, our prime minister is extremely determined about the place of women in our society and the rise of women in our society.”
Liberal leader Andrew Bragg, also speaking on Radio National, said Albanese’s comments were “beneath his office… he should not have said them”.
