Prime minister apologises for podcast remarks about pop singer

The prime minister issued a one-line statement on Monday morning apologising "unequivocally" for comments made during a comedy podcast interview released late last week. The interview included a rapid-fire round in which the host asked the prime minister to place three entertainers in a "shag, marry, date" game.

The prime minister initially said he had just married and was reluctant to answer, then responded "Kylie, clearly" and later "all of the above" when pressed about one of the entertainers.

" The prime minister replied jokingly that they were when they had time, adding that a win by a particular rugby league team served as an aphrodisiac. The interview was described as lighthearted and also covered the prime minister's dog and gifts received from world leaders.

" A senior government minister defended the prime minister's record on gender equality, stating that no government had been better for women's equality and that the prime minister was a fan of the entertainer in question. The acting prime minister told Radio National that the prime minister had apologised unequivocally and noted that the government had achieved equality in cabinet numbers and a majority of women in the caucus.