Anthony Albanese's apology for his comments about Kylie Minogue is an admission he got it wrong in playing along with a social media influencer's 'shag, marry, date' question. The prime minister appeared on the Bush Deep podcast hosted by comedian Nikki Osborne, who has close to half a million Instagram followers. When asked to rank Kylie Minogue, Nicole Kidman, and Rhonda Burchmore in the game, Albanese initially hesitated, saying 'I've just got married, I'm only six months in.' But after Osborne coaxed him with 'but if [marriage] goes tits up, let's just pretend,' he answered Minogue for all three categories.
Political fallout and criticism
The incident sparked widespread criticism, including from One Nation MP Barnaby Joyce, who advised Albanese 'has to be a bit cleverer' and claimed he 'fell into a trap [that] a prime minister shouldn't fall into.' Joyce stated, 'We just can't answer questions like that.' The Betoota Advocate mocked the PM with a photoshopped image of him in a doghouse. This is not the first time Albanese has faced backlash for a flippant answer; in February, he described Grace Tame as 'difficult' in a lighthearted round, later clarifying he meant she had a difficult life.
The double-edged sword of new media
Politicians increasingly engage with social media creators to reach voters who have tuned out of traditional media. Osborne's podcast is one example, and Albanese's appearance was part of a broader strategy to connect with audiences through informal platforms. However, as this episode shows, the risk of missteps is high. Osborne herself noted the interview was 'a massive risk for him,' but called it 'bloody hilarious.' She also hinted that other politicians have agreed to appear, writing 'wait until you see the next politician … Gotta keep it balanced right?!'
Lessons from past incidents
Former Labor PM Kevin Rudd's 2007 response to a similar question on Rove McManus's show—'who would you turn gay for?'—was 'My wife, Therese,' a safe answer that avoided controversy. Albanese's misstep underscores the need for caution when engaging in such games. The prime minister's apology is an admission of error, and the episode serves as a reminder that while social media can humanize politicians, it also exposes them to scrutiny and potential embarrassment.
