Overview
- Albanese told ABC’s 7.30 on Thursday that appearing on the Bush Deep podcast was "an error" and said he would not do the show again.
- The episode, filmed at The Lodge and broadcast in July, included a "shag, marry, date" segment in which he said he would "shag" Kylie Minogue and for which he has apologised.
- A separate moment in the episode drew attention when Albanese made a hand gesture while joking about crown melons gifted by Japan’s prime minister, prompting criticism and a former Japanese ambassador to call the gesture insulting.
- Tokyo’s serving officials subsequently sought to downplay any diplomatic fallout, while several Labor figures including Tanya Plibersek publicly defended the prime minister earlier in the controversy.
- The concession heightens opposition attacks on his judgement, raises fresh questions about the government’s media strategy, and could change how senior ministers approach informal media appearances going forward.