Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese issued an apology on Monday following public backlash over remarks he made on a podcast suggesting he would have sex with pop star Kylie Minogue. Albanese, 63, who married Jodie Haydon in November, was asked by the host of the "Bush Deep" podcast to choose between Minogue, Nicole Kidman, and Rhonda Burchmore for sex, marriage, or dating.
"I apologize unequivocally for the comments," Albanese stated. During the podcast, he initially demurred, noting he had recently married. However, when pressed by host Nikki Osborne, Albanese responded, "Kylie clearly," and when asked if he would marry, have sex with, and date her, he replied, "All of the above."
The Prime Minister's comments drew sharp criticism from some Australian politicians. Sarah Henderson, Australia's shadow communications minister, stated that "Australians deserve better" and accused Albanese of making "grubby remarks" that demonstrated poor judgment. Zali Steggall, a Member of Parliament, called the answer "entirely inappropriate" and suggested Albanese needed to "lead by example and call it out as sexist." Melinda Tankard Reist, who leads the Collective Shout movement, which campaigns against the objectification of women, described the remarks as "beneath" the prime minister and setting a low example.
Despite the criticism, Australia's Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles defended Albanese, stating he is "utterly committed" toward women and highlighting that the current government is the first in Australian history to have equal representation of women and men in cabinet. Albanese became the first sitting prime minister in Australia to marry while in office when he wed Haydon last year.