Married Australian PM issues apology for saying he would ‘shag’ Kylie Minogue
Announcing his desire to 'shag' Kylie Minogue while sporting a wedding ring on his finger has landed Anthony Albanese in hot water.
The Australian Prime Minister issued an apology for excitedly discussing his admiration for the Grammy-winning singer on Monday (6 July).
When playing a game of 'shag, marry or date' during a lighthearted interview with comedian Nikki Osborne, he responded in reference to Minogue: "All of the above."
Albanese is apparently quite a big fan of the Princess of Pop, 58, just like the rest of the country, who consider her to be Australia's sweetheart.
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But people weren't aware just how much of a soft spot that the politician, who has been in office since 2022, has for the hitmaker until he sat down on the Bush Deep podcast last week.
It's hosted by the wacky comedian, actress and former model Osborne, who has an alter-ego which she dubs 'Bushie'.
Describing her as a 'wildly inappropriate journalist', the podcast says it offers listeners episodes that are 'equal parts chaos and charm'.
"Bushie sits down with celebrities and everyday legends alike, asking the questions no one else would dare," its description reads.
"It’s loose, it’s tongue-in-cheek, and above all else very, very funny.… whether the guests are ready for it or not!"
During a round of rapid fire questions that 'every guest gets asked' on the Bush Deep podcast, Osborne queried who Albanese would rather 'shag, marry or date' out of Mingoue, Nicole Kidman or Rhonda Burchmore.
He initially brushed off the cheeky question by pointing out that he got married to his partner Jodie Haydon just mere months ago, noting that they are still very much 'in the honeymoon period'.
The leader of the Labor Party became Australia's first leader to ever get hitched while in office after he tied the knot in November last year with the 47-year-old, who he met back in 2020.
But after Osborne pressed him on the question while joking that his marriage 'could go tits up', Albanese offered up an answer.
The 63-year-old didn't take long to stew over the line-up of stellar Aussie stars he was choosing between, as he then responded: "Oh, Kylie, clearly."
'Can't Get You Out Of My Head' singer Minogue is seemingly a triple threat in Albanese's eyes too, as when asked which option he would choose for her, he quipped: "All of the above. She's terrific."
These comments attracted widespread criticism from MPs in Australia.
Community Strong MP Zali Steggall dubbing them 'entirely inappropriate' and saying he 'needs to learn to push back, lead by example and call it out as sexist'.
Shadow Communications Minister Sarah Henderson also described his remarks about Minogue as 'disrespectful to women' in a post on X, while suggesting that they 'demean the office of prime minister'.
In wake of receiving a lot of flack, the country's leader issued a concise apology on Monday. "I apologise unequivocally for the comments," Albanese said.
While he is heading on a visit to the Pacific, Richard Marles is standing in as Australia's PM - and he has shared his thoughts on the backlash.
Marles told ABC's Radio National Breakfast programme that the government is 'utterly committed' to championing women, saying: "From time to time, we obviously do different interviews to the one we are doing now, but I think the other point to make here is that the government that the PM leads is the first in history that has had equality in terms of the number of men and women in cabinet."
Labor minister Tanya Plibersek also spoke out in support of Albanese, saying: "If what the prime minister is saying is he’s a fan of Kylie Minogue, I guess that puts him in a group with millions of other Australians, including me.
"I’m a big fan of Kylie’s as well. What I’d say on women’s equality in this country is no government’s been better for it, and no prime minister’s been better for it."
Elsewhere during the interview with Osborne, Albanese was asked whether he and Haydon were still 'bonking like rabbits' eight months into married life.
"When we have time," he told the podcast host.
Olivia Burke