Australia PM Albanese apologises for crude Kylie Minogue remark

By Alasdair Pal

SYDNEY, ‌July 6 (Reuters) - ​Australian ​Prime Minister Anthony Albanese apologised on Monday after making a crude remark ‌about singer Kylie Minogue in a comedy ⁠podcast interview, prompting outrage from women's rights groups ‌and opposition lawmakers.

Albanese was ‌asked by host Nikki Osborne which of three Australian female celebrities he would marry, ​date or "shag" - a vulgar term in Australia referring to sex.

Albanese initially declined to respond, ⁠saying he was recently married, but Osborne pressed, asking who ​he would choose if his marriage broke down, and Albanese replied, "Kylie, clearly."

"You'd marry ​Kylie, and shag her, ‌and date her?" Osborne said.

"All of the above," Albanese replied.

Albanese was ⁠criticised by several opposition lawmakers, with senator Sarah Henderson saying the comments were "disrespectful to women, embarrassing ⁠to Australians and demean the office of Prime Minister."

"I ​apologise unequivocally for the comments," Albanese said in a statement on Monday.

A spokesperson for Minogue did not immediately ‌respond to a request for comment.

Australia is famed for its informal ‌culture, and politicians in the country are ⁠frequently quizzed during interviews ‌on issues including ​pop culture and sport.

(Reporting by Alasdair Pal in Sydney; Editing by Kate ‌Mayberry)

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