Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has drawn criticism following remarks made during a podcast interview, where he participated in a game that prompted him to name whom he would "shag, marry, or date" out of several prominent Australian women. The 63-year-old leader, who married Jodie Haydon six months prior to the interview, stated he would "shag, marry, and date" pop icon Kylie Minogue.
Albanese's candid comments on the "Bush Deep" podcast, hosted by comedian Nikki Osborne, were met with swift rebukes. Feminists labeled the remarks as crass, while political commentators accused the prime minister of diminishing the office he holds. "It’s pretty simple to say, ‘I don’t like that question. That’s not for me,’ " said 7NEWS Political Editor Mark Riley, suggesting Albanese was attempting to appear more relatable but ultimately failed. Riley added that as a "63-year-old national leader," Albanese should "act like one."
The interview also included unusually frank discussions about Albanese's personal life, with the prime minister joking that he and his wife "bonk after the footy" and that a win for his favored rugby league team, the South Sydney Rabbitohs, can set the mood. "I’ve just got married, I’m only six months in," Albanese initially stated when asked the hypothetical question, before relenting when pressed by the host to "just pretend" if things went awry.
Australian MP Dai Le questioned Albanese's decorum, noting that parliamentary rules prohibit certain language. "I will find that very unbecoming of a gentleman," Le commented, suggesting Albanese might be trying to appeal to a specific audience. The remarks drew particular attention given Minogue's status as a celebrated Australian artist, with an opinion piece in The Australian newspaper describing the comments as "crude sexual objectification" and a poor reflection on the prime minister. The piece also warned that such exchanges, perceived as lighthearted games, contribute to a trend that is "demeaning" and erodes public trust in politics.
Prominent female politicians and business figures have also criticized Albanese for perceived sexism. MP Zali Steggall told The Australian that the prime minister "needs to learn to push back, lead by example, and call it out as sexist." Albanese's office has not issued an official statement regarding the interview. Several Labor Party members, including Women's Minister Katy Gallagher, have declined to defend the prime minister's comments. Kylie Minogue has not yet responded publicly to the remarks.