Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese apologized on Monday for comments he made about pop star Kylie Minogue during a podcast interview. The remarks were made on the Bush Deep podcast with comedian Nikki Osborne, recorded at the prime minister’s official residence in Canberra and released last week. Osborne asked whether Albanese would "shag, marry or date" Minogue, actress Nicole Kidman or entertainer Rhonda Burchmore. After initially avoiding the question, Albanese said "Oh, Kylie, clearly" and added that she is "terrific." Politicians criticized the exchange; MP Zali Steggall called the remarks "entirely inappropriate" and said Albanese needed to set a better example. Shadow communications minister Sarah Henderson posted on X that the comments were "disrespectful to women, embarrassing to Australians and demean the office of Prime Minister." Acting Prime Minister Richard Marles said the government remains committed to gender equality and noted that the current cabinet includes an equal number of men and women. Albanese issued a brief statement early Monday saying he apologized "unequivocally" for the comments.