Aug 10, 2026 – 2.20pmSocial Services Minister Tanya Plibersek has again come to the defence of Anthony Albanese over his controversial podcast interview last month in which he said he would “shag” Kylie Minogue and joked about Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s “melons”.Plibersek, who originally claimed Albanese’s remarks about Minogue were nothing more than a sign he was a fan, repudiated claims, including by former Japanese ambassador to Australia Shingo Yamagami, that the “melons” joke was a lewd reference to Takaichi’s breasts.Subscribe to gift this articleGift 5 articles to anyone you choose each month when you subscribe.Subscribe nowAlready a subscriber? Fetching latest articles