BRISBANE — Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese issued an apology on July 5, 2026, for comments he made in a podcast interview. The Prime Minister responded to a 'shag, marry or date' question regarding female celebrities Kylie Minogue, Nicole Kidman, and Rhonda Burchmore by saying, "Oh, Kylie, clearly." He also stated, "All of the above," and noted, "I've just got married, I'm only six months in." On July 5, he said, "I apologise unequivocally for the comments."

Government Minister Tanya Plibersek addressed the remarks, saying, "I'm not going to comment on a podcast that I haven't listened to. If what the prime minister is saying is he's a fan of Kylie Minogue, I guess that puts him in a group with millions of other Australians, including me. I'm a big fan of Kylie's as well." She added, "What I'd say on women's equality in this country is no government's been better for it, and no prime minister's been better for it. No government has done more for women's health … We're working on women's equality every single day and we're delivering on women's equality every single day."

Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles stated, "The government that the prime minister leads is the first government in our nation's history which has had an equality in terms of the numbers of men and women in cabinet. It's the first government ever to have had a majority of women in the caucus. I mean, our prime minister is utterly committed to the place of women within our society and the elevation of women within our society. And I think that's the serious point to observe about the government that he leads. He's obviously made an unequivocal apology for what he said."

Prime Minister Albanese is scheduled to travel to Fiji and the Solomon Islands on Monday and Tuesday, July 6 and 7. After these visits, he will host the leaders of Papua New Guinea and Tonga at the State of Origin decider in Brisbane on Wednesday night, July 8. NSW and Queensland have each secured one victory in the current State of Origin series, with the third and final game to be held at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane. Albanese plans to hold bilateral meetings with the leaders of Papua New Guinea and Tonga. The Albanese government supports the inclusion of a Papua New Guinea team in the NRL competition from 2028 with $600 million in federal funds.

Why It Matters

Prime Minister Albanese's apology addresses his remarks made in a podcast interview, which occurred ahead of several upcoming diplomatic engagements. He is scheduled to travel to Fiji and the Solomon Islands before hosting leaders from Papua New Guinea and Tonga for meetings in Brisbane. These diplomatic events are part of ongoing efforts to work with Pacific nations on regional issues, including support for a Papua New Guinea team in the NRL competition.