"I think they were just having a bit of fun... but also, there is a line." – Tanya Plibersek on the Prime Minister’s “shag, marry, kill” comment.
Plibersek Asked to Weigh In on PM’s ‘Shag, Marry, Kill’ Remark
Tanya Plibersek, a senior Australian government minister, appeared on the Seven Network's Sunrise program on Monday morning. She was interviewed alongside Barnaby Joyce of One Nation.
Host Natalie Barr asked Plibersek whether Prime Minister Anthony Albanese should apologize for a comment he made the previous week. The comment was made in the context of the game “shag, marry, kill,” in which the Prime Minister stated he would “shag” singer Kylie Minogue.
Plibersek did not call for an apology, but she did characterize the comment as “a bit of fun” that crossed a line. “I think they were just having a bit of fun... but also, there is a line,” she said. “And when you are the Prime Minister, everything you say is scrutinized.”
A Broader Political Context
The interview also covered other topics, but the exchange regarding the Prime Minister’s language drew significant attention. Barnaby Joyce weighed in on the discussion, suggesting the remark was inappropriate for a national leader.
"The Prime Minister should know better than to talk about public figures in that way." – Barnaby Joyce
The Core of the Controversy
The original comment, made during a lighthearted segment, sparked debate about the appropriateness of such language from a sitting Prime Minister. The central question remains: does a leader’s informal banter diminish the dignity of the office, or is it simply a human moment?
- Tanya Plibersek’s stance: Acknowledged the comment was “a bit of fun” but noted the heightened scrutiny on a Prime Minister.
- Barnaby Joyce’s stance: Called the remark inappropriate for a national leader.
- No apology is expected from the Prime Minister’s office as of this report.