National

Albanese apologises for podcast remarks about Kylie

By Andrew Brown

Jul 6, 2026

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese during Question Time — The Prime Minister was asked whether he would 'shag, marry or date' Kylie Minogue. -AAP Image

The prime minister has apologised for comments he made about Kylie Minogue while playing a risque game during a podcast appearance.

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In an interview on the Bush Deep podcast, Anthony Albanese was asked by host Nikki Osborne if he would "shag, marry or date" Kylie Minogue, Nicole Kidman or Rhonda Burchmore.

The prime minister initially avoided answering, saying he had just got married to wife Jodie Haydon only six months ago.

But when pressed further by the host, Mr Albanese answered "oh Kylie, clearly .... all of the above".

The comments prompted a backlash, leading the prime minister to issue a statement on Monday.

"I apologise unequivocally for the comments," he said.

Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles defended the prime minister's record on policies for women following the interview, while also saying the podcast appearance was different to standard political interviews.

"The government that the prime minister leads is the first government in the nation's history which has had an equality in terms of the numbers of men and women in cabinet," he told ABC Radio.

"Our prime minister is utterly committed to the place of women within our society and the elevation of women within our society, and I think that's the serious point to observe about the government that he leads."

Social Services Minister Tanya Plibersek also defended Mr Albanese's record on women.

"If what the prime minister's saying is that he's a fan of Kylie Minogue, I guess that puts him in (with) other Australians, including me, including me. I'm a big fan of Kylie's as well," she told Seven's Sunrise program.

But One Nation MP Barnaby Joyce said the comments were beneath the office of the prime minister.

"I'd like to break into the regular broadcasting for a special mention from the Prime Minister of Commonwealth of Australia: people Anthony would like to have sex with. Yeah, I think it's a little bit below," he said.

"He doesn't need to play a stupid game. ... I would have avoided the question, like most people."

Opposition frontbencher Andrew Bragg also criticised the comments.

"These comments were beneath his office. I don't think he should have said them. It's good that he's apologised, but he shouldn't have said it in the first place."