Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese.Image: keystone
Jul 6, 2026, 06:46Jul 6, 2026, 06:46
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese caused a stir with a comment about pop icon Kylie Minogue. In a question and answer game, he declared Kylie Minogue to be the woman he would sleep with – and chatted about his own sex life.
After the 63-year-old declared the singer to be his favorite in a suggestive question game on a comedy podcast, he now apologized publicly and “unequivocally” for his statements.
What had happened?
Albanese was recently a guest on comedian Nikki Osborne’s podcast “Bush Deep,” the episode was released late last week. In a quick question round of the game “Shag, Marry, Date” he had to decide which of the three Australian celebrities Kylie Minogue, Nicole Kidman and Rhonda Burchmore he would most likely sleep with, who he would marry and who he would date.
At first the Prime Minister hesitated, pointing out that he had only gotten married six months ago. In the end he decided on pop star Kylie Minogue. When the moderator asked whether this applied to all three categories, Albanese replied: “All of it. She’s great.”
Revelations about his sex life
But that’s not all: a joking remark about his married life made further headlines. When Osborne asked whether he and his wife had sex “like rabbits,” Albanese replied with a wink: “Well, when we have time.” A victory for his favorite rugby team, the South Sydney Rabbitohs, is “always a good aphrodisiac”.
The statements sparked criticism in Australia – including from politicians. According to a report by the ABC broadcaster, independent MP Zali Steggall described participation in the game as “completely inappropriate” for a head of government. Conservative opposition politician Sarah Henderson called the statements disrespectful to women and derogatory to the premier’s office.
Albanese’s government, on the other hand, referred to its record in gender equality policy. His deputy Richard Marles emphasized that the Prime Minister had also “unequivocally apologized”. Labor Minister Tanya Plibersek also defended the head of government and said that with his admiration for Kylie Minogue he was “in line with millions of Australians”.
Kylie Minogue (58) is considered one of the most successful Australian artists of all time. She sold over 80 million records worldwide with super hits like “Can’t Get You out of My Head” and “Padam Padam”. (sda/dpa)