Australian PM apologises for 'inappropriate' comments about Kylie Minogue

Anthony Albanese has apologised for comments he made about popstar Kylie Minogue in a podcast interview.

The Australian prime minister made an appearance on the Bush Deep podcast with comedian Nikki Osborne, who asked him during a 20-minute interview whether he would "shag, marry or date" Minogue, actor Nicole Kidman or entertainer Rhonda Burchmore.

After initially trying to avoid the question, Albanese replied, "Oh, Kylie, clearly."

Albanese, who married his partner Jodie Haydon in November, had initially responded, "I've just got married, I'm only six months in."

But after being pushed by Osborne if he would "marry Kylie, and shag her, and date her?", he acquiesced, "All of the above. She's terrific."

Osborne, who is known for posting crude comedy sketches on YouTube, launched her podcast series earlier this year. Her podcast site describes her as a "wildly inapproriate journalist" who asks "questions no one else would dare".

In a one-line statement issued early on Monday, the PM stated, "I apologise unequivocally for the comments."

Shadow Communications Minister Sarah Henderson opined in a post on X that the comments were "disrespectful to women, embarrassing to Australians and demean the office of Prime Minister".

Richard Marles, who is acting prime minister while Albanese is on a visit to the Pacific, told news outlet ABC that the government was "utterly committed" to the elevation of women in society.