Plibersek Backs Albanese: ‘I’m a Big Fan of Kylie’s as Well’
Tanya Plibersek appeared on Sunrise this morning to support Prime Minister Anthony Albanese following his recent podcast remarks.
“I’m not going to comment on a podcast that I haven’t listened to. If what the prime minister is saying is he’s a fan of Kylie Minogue, I guess that puts him in a group with millions of other Australians, including me. I’m a big fan of Kylie’s as well.”
Plibersek also defended the government’s ongoing efforts to improve conditions for women.
“What I’d say on women’s equality in this country is no government’s been better for it, and no prime minister’s been better for it. No government has done more for women’s health … We’re working on women’s equality every single day and we’re delivering on women’s equality every single day.”
Anthony Albanese Participates in Kava Ceremony in Fiji
Prime Minister Albanese is currently in Fiji and participated in a traditional kava ceremony this morning.
While the exact amount consumed is unclear from photographs, guests at such ceremonies are typically invited to drink the kava in one gulp if possible.
Trump Lobbied FIFA to Overturn Balogun’s Suspension
In World Cup news, former US President Donald Trump reportedly lobbied FIFA to lift the suspension of US striker Folarin Balogun ahead of the crucial match against Belgium.
“Donald Trump lobbied FIFA to lift the US striker Folarin Balogun’s one-game ban for a red card received in the team’s win over Bosnia and Herzegovina, preceding Sunday’s stunning announcement that he would be available for the cohosts’ last-16 clash against Belgium in Seattle on Monday night.”
Sources informed that Trump made three calls to FIFA starting Wednesday to ensure the suspension was overturned.
Ten Shops Damaged in Melbourne After Suspected Ram Raid Arson
Melbourne experienced a significant fire incident overnight following a suspected ram raid that resulted in ten shops being engulfed in flames, according to AAP.
Fire Rescue Victoria responded to a suspected tobacco shop on Victoria Road, Abbotsford, around 4am Monday. Crews arrived within three minutes to find the business fully ablaze. It required 80 firefighters and 25 trucks to contain the fire by 6am.
Victoria Police reported that unknown offenders drove a vehicle into the premises before setting it on fire and fleeing. Firefighters remain on site and are expected to continue operations throughout Monday morning.
A crime scene has been established, and an investigation is ongoing.
Meta Executives to Testify at Royal Commission on Antisemitism
Executives from Meta and Facebook are scheduled to speak today at the royal commission hearing on antisemitism.
Last week, eSafety Commissioner Julie Inman Grant highlighted social media platforms’ monitoring of graphic and fringe content, specifically mentioning platform X. She noted her office had to contest with Elon Musk to remove disturbing footage from the platform.
Deputy PM Richard Marles Defends Albanese’s Podcast Remarks
Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles defended Albanese’s comments made during the Nova podcast, emphasizing the prime minister’s apology and the government’s achievements in advancing women’s issues.
“The government that the prime minister leads is the first government in our nation’s history which has had an equality in terms of the numbers of men and women in cabinet. It’s the first government ever to have had a majority of women in the caucus. I mean, our prime minister is utterly committed to the place of women within our society and the elevation of women within our society. And I think that’s the serious point to observe about the government that he leads. He’s obviously made an unequivocal apology for what he said.”
Auction Clearance Rates Remain Below 50%
Preliminary data from Cotality shows that auction clearance rates across combined capital cities remained under 50% last week.
Sydney recorded a 51.6% clearance rate, Melbourne 54.6%, Brisbane 23.8%, and Perth 33.3%. Canberra had a 50% clearance rate, while Adelaide’s was 45.7%. Hobart was not listed.
Hundreds of homes were withdrawn from auction, primarily in Sydney and Melbourne, the nation’s two largest markets.
Albanese Issues Unequivocal Apology Over Podcast Comments
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese issued an unequivocal apology following remarks made on a comedy podcast when asked a "shag, marry or date" question involving Kylie Minogue, Nicole Kidman, and Rhonda Burchmore.
Albanese responded:
“I’ve just got married, I’m only six months in.”
When pressed further, he said:
“Oh, Kylie, clearly.”
Host Nikki Osborne asked:
“You’d marry Kylie, and shag her and date?”
The prime minister released a statement this morning:
“I apologise unequivocally for the comments.”
Albanese to Host PNG and Tonga Leaders at State of Origin
Prime Minister Albanese will host the leaders of Papua New Guinea and Tonga at the State of Origin decider in Brisbane on Wednesday night amid a series of diplomatic engagements this week.
Albanese will travel to Fiji and the Solomon Islands on Monday and Tuesday before returning for the rugby league series decider at Brisbane’s Suncorp Stadium. NSW and Queensland have each won one game, with the final match set for Wednesday.
The Albanese government has elevated rugby league as a significant diplomatic platform in the Pacific, including supporting the inclusion of a PNG team in the NRL from 2028 with $600 million in federal funding. Both Tonga and PNG have strong rugby league traditions, with many players from these countries active in the NRL.
Wednesday also marks the commencement of Australia’s new mutual defence treaty with PNG. Albanese will hold bilateral meetings with PNG and Tonga leaders focusing on regional security, trade, and economic growth.
“This important series of meetings in Brisbane comes at a time where we are working closely with our Pacific family on the issues that matter to our region,” Albanese said.
“I am very much looking forward to hosting Pacific leaders in Brisbane on Wednesday and attending the State of Origin with them. Through one of Australia’s favourite sporting codes, we are bringing our Pacific family closer together.”
Opposition Criticizes Government’s Youth Justice Approach
The state opposition criticized the government’s approach to youth justice, suggesting it is attempting to "fix crime with a slogan."
Shadow Youth Justice Minister Di Farmer noted that detention centres are already at capacity, frequently on lockdown, experiencing staff walk-offs, and seeing children in difficult conditions.
“The question that needs to be asked of the LNP is: where will they put those young people if they go to detention?” Farmer said on Sunday.
“Today’s announcement is another slogan, without substance, but it is a slogan which could break the Queensland youth justice system.”
Queensland Premier Announces ‘Breach Bail, Go to Jail’ Policy
Queensland Premier David Crisafulli pledged to imprison more youth offenders in a keynote speech at the Liberal National Party’s state conference on Sunday.
The government plans to create and legislate a new offence by the end of the year, carrying a mandatory sentence—yet to be determined—for repeat offenders committing serious crimes while on bail.
“Breach bail, go to jail is the next phase of adult crime, adult time, which is holding youth offenders accountable for the first time in a long time,” Crisafulli said.
“We’re heading in the right direction and we’ve heard from Queenslanders who are telling us to keep going, and we will with reforms to Labor’s weak bail laws.”
However, Katherine Hayes, CEO of the Youth Advocacy Centre, stated that Queensland already has the harshest youth bail laws in Australia, which have become more punitive under the previous government by introducing mandatory sentencing and making breach of bail a criminal offence.
“Queensland already locks up more kids than anywhere else in Australia – more than Victoria and New South Wales combined,” Hayes said.
“This is a further step to make already harsh bail laws harsher.”
Debbie Kilroy, CEO of Sisters Inside, criticized the LNP government for its approach.
“Queensland is building a youth justice system driven by headlines instead of evidence,” she said.
Good Morning and Week Ahead
Nick Visser welcomes readers to the new week, highlighting key upcoming developments.
The Queensland premier’s announcement of a new offence for youth offenders with mandatory sentencing is a major focus, alongside ongoing low auction clearance rates across combined capitals, which stood at 49.8% last week according to Cotality data.
