Anthony Albanese apologizes for 'shag, marry, date' podcast comments about Kylie Minogue
Consensus Summary
Anthony Albanese issued an unequivocal apology for his comments on a comedy podcast where he participated in a 'shag, marry, date' game involving Kylie Minogue, Nicole Kidman, and Rhonda Burchmore. During the interview, released late last week, Albanese initially declined to answer, stating he was only six months into his marriage. When pressed, he chose Kylie Minogue for all three categories, prompting criticism from politicians like Zali Steggall and Sarah Henderson, who called the remarks inappropriate and sexist. Albaneseās apology came on Monday morning, the same day he was in Fiji for a leaders' meeting with Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka. The government has faced scrutiny over the comments, but Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles defended Albaneseās record on gender equality, highlighting the governmentās historic gender balance in cabinet. Albanese is also scheduled to host leaders from Papua New Guinea and Tonga in Brisbane this week for diplomatic meetings tied to rugby league and regional security, including a $600m commitment to support a PNG NRL team starting in 2028.
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Key details reported by multiple sources:
- Anthony Albanese apologized 'unequivocally' for comments on a podcast about Kylie Minogue in a 'shag, marry, date' game
- Albanese was asked to choose between Kylie Minogue, Nicole Kidman, and Rhonda Burchmore in the game
- Albanese initially responded, 'I just got married, Iām only six months in.' when asked about the game
- Albanese replied 'Oh, Kylie, clearly' and later 'all of the above' when pressed about Kylie Minogue
- The podcast interview was released 'late last week' (Friday) and Albanese issued his apology on 'Monday morning'
- Albanese was in Fiji on 'Monday' for a leaders' meeting with Fiji's Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka
- Albanese is scheduled to host leaders of Papua New Guinea and Tonga at the State of Origin decider in Brisbane 'this week'
- The government committed $600m to support a Papua New Guinea team in the NRL from 2028
- Richard Marles defended Albaneseās record on gender equality, noting the government has 'equality in terms of the numbers of men and women in cabinet'
Points of Difference
Details reported by only one source:
- Albanese was due to travel to Solomon Islands 'this week' after Fiji
- Albanese mentioned a South Sydney Rabbitohs win as a 'good aphrodisiac' during the podcast
- Queensland Premier David Crisafulli announced a new offence for youth offenders by the end of the year with a mandatory sentence for repeat offenders on bail
- Auction clearance rates were below 50% across combined capitals, with Brisbane at 23.8% and Perth at 33.3%
- Albaneseās apology statement was released 'this morning' (Monday) in a one-line statement
- The podcast was hosted by Nikki Osborne on the 'Bush Deep' podcast
- Shadow Housing Minister Andrew Bragg called Albanese a 'shapeshifter' and said his comments were 'beneath his office'
- Albanese and Richard Marles were in Fiji to sign the Vuvale Union treaty with Fiji's PM Sitiveni Rabuka
- The treaty includes a 'security dimension' and aims to strengthen economic and defence ties
- Tanya Plibersek said she hadnāt listened to the full podcast but noted Albaneseās apology
Contradictions
Conflicting information between sources:
- The Guardian states Albanese was due to travel to Solomon Islands 'this week' after Fiji, but ABC does not mention this detail
- The Guardian mentions Albaneseās apology was released 'this morning' (Monday) in a one-line statement, while ABC does not specify the format of the apology beyond 'Monday morning'
- The Guardian reports auction clearance rates were below 50% across combined capitals, but ABC does not mention this topic
- The Guardian includes details about Queenslandās youth justice reforms, which ABC does not cover
- The Guardian specifies Albaneseās mention of a South Sydney Rabbitohs win as an aphrodisiac, while ABC does not include this detail
Source Articles
Anthony Albanese apologises āunequivocallyā for podcast comment about Kylie Minogue
Prime minister picked pop singer in game of āshag, marry, dateā on comedy podcast Follow our Australia news live blog for latest updates Get our breaking news email , free app or daily news podcast Anthony Albanese has apologised āunequivocallyā for his comments while playing a āshag, marry, dateā game on a comedy podcast when he nominated Kylie Minogue for all three categories. The prime minister issued a statement on Monday morning after receiving criticism at the weekend for his appearance on
Australia news live: Albanese apologises for podcast comment about Kylie Minogue; auction clearances below 50% again
Meanwhile Queensland premier vows to imprison more youth offenders at party state conference. Follow todayās news live Auction clearance rates remain under 50% Just 49.8% of homes sold at auction last week, according to preliminary data from Cotality. I apologise unequivocally for the comments. Continue reading...
Live: PM apologises for Kylie Minogue 'shag' comment
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese's office has released a statement, apologising for the PM's comments about Kylie Minogue on a podcast.
PM apologises for saying he would 'shag' Kylie Minogue in podcast game
Anthony Albanese made the comments during a game of "shag, marry, date" on the Bush Deep podcast on Friday, which have been widely condemned as inappropriate.
PM 'unequivocally' apologises for crude 'shag, marry, date' podcast comments
Anthony Albanese picked Kylie Minogue in a suggestive party game on comedian Nikki Osborne's show.