Albanese apologises after backlash over podcast comments about women

Anthony Albanese apologised “unequivocally” after a podcast appearance in which he joined a “shag, marry, date” game about Kylie Minogue, Nicole Kidman and Rhonda Burchmore drew a wave of backlash from women in politics. He also made sexual comments about his wife, Jodie Haydon, during the same interview.

The comments were made on the Bush Deep podcast, hosted by comedian Nikki Osborne. Albanese began by saying he had “just got married” and was “only six months in,” before answering the game by choosing Kylie Minogue and then adding, “All of the above.”

The prime minister’s apology came on Monday morning, ahead of his departure for a Pacific Islands trip. The episode quickly became a political problem because critics argued the country’s leader should have declined to take part in the game at all and set a better example in public life.

The criticism came from across the political spectrum, with women in federal politics leading much of the response. Community Strong MP Zali Steggall said it was “entirely inappropriate” for the prime minister to participate in the game. Liberal senator Sarah Henderson said Albanese had “got into the gutter with his grubby remarks.”

Government ministers moved to defend Albanese’s broader record on women, even as the specific comments kept the issue alive. Richard Marles said the government had strong credentials on women’s equality and pointed to the Albanese ministry as the first government in Australia’s history to have equal numbers of men and women in cabinet. Tanya Plibersek also defended the government’s record on women.

The episode highlighted how quickly offhand remarks on a podcast can turn into a test of leadership standards. Albanese’s apology did not erase the central complaint from his critics: that a prime minister is expected to avoid casual sexual banter, especially when it involves women, marriage and the partner he lives with at The Lodge.