Anthony Albanese has joked that Australia could “take over” New Zealand, making the quip during a recent podcast appearance with comedian Nikki Osborne.
The Prime Minister appeared on Osborne’s Bush Deep podcast in July, where he suggested Australia had a constitutional pathway to bring New Zealand under its control.
“We could take over New Zealand. It’s still in our Constitution. We can just do it. Sorry,” Albanese said, laughing as he made the remark.
New Zealand is referenced in the covering clauses of the Australian Constitution, where it is included in the definition of the original Australian colonies. The wording has long left open the constitutional possibility for New Zealand to join the Australian Federation as a state.
New Zealand, however, has never accepted that invitation.
While Albanese’s comments about New Zealand were trimmed in the final podcast edit, Osborne said she was surprised that his separate remarks about “shagging” Kylie Minogue attracted far more attention.
“I didn’t realise that that would be controversial. No, I thought it was harmless,” she told the Mark Bouris podcast.
“He said people need to stop blowing s*** up. All of that. He said he could just take over New Zealand if he wanted. No one cared.”
Anthony Albanese said he could ‘take over’ New Zealand during his appearance on Nikki Osborne’s Bush Deep podcast in July
The Prime Minister said Australia could assume New Zealand (pictured) under the Constitution
New Zealand is referenced in the covering clauses of the Australian Constitution in the definition of the original Australian colonies
Osborne added: ‘He said, you know, ‘I could just take over New Zealand tomorrow if I wanted’. That’s in there, and no one cares because he wants to shag Kylie.’
A media storm erupted after the release of Osborne’s podcast, when a clip emerged of Albanese being asked who he’d sleep with, marry or date – Kylie Minogue, Nicole Kidman and Rhonda Burchmore.
‘Kylie, clearly,’ Albanese said. ‘All of the above… she’s terrific.’
Albanese later apologised ‘unequivocally’ for his remarks but has continued to face scrutiny for controversial comments and hand gestures referencing melons gifted by the Japanese Prime Minister.
Albanese said Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi gifted him crown melons during a May visit to Australia.
‘She brought two and they’re beautiful,’ he said, gesturing with both hands in front of his chest.
He has rejected calls to apologise over the incident and said on Friday the interpretation of the melon comments was incorrect.
Coverage of the podcast comments prompted a letter from Tokyo to Canberra, stating there had been ‘sensationalised reporting in the Australian media’ about the interview and that no action would be taken by the Japanese government.
Comedian and podcast host Nikki Osborne (pictured) said Albanese ‘knew what he was coming into’ when asked about the interview by Australian businessman Mark Bouris
Some scrutiny around Albanese’s podcast appearance centred on his description of crown melons gifted to him by Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi
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Should a prime minister joke about taking over a neighboring country or is that crossing the line?
The letter was leaked to media outlets, prompting the Coalition to refer the issue to the Australian Federal Police, which Albanese dismissed as a political stunt.
‘When I give interviews, anyone who has sat down with me… will see that I don’t do them with my arms crossed,’ he told reporters on Friday.
‘The interpretation that some have put on this is simply not correct, and the Japanese ambassador has made that clear as well.
‘I’m responsible for my words, and I note that of all of the words that have been written on this, none of my words have been criticised.’
Osborne, who interviewed the Prime Minister twice while hosting Nova 106.9’s breakfast show in Brisbane, said she secured the interview by messaging Albanese on social media.
She told Bouris she had insisted there would be no politics during the interview.
‘I said, but “I don’t want to talk policy. I want to talk personality. I want to come to your house, see your tie collection, and hang out with your dog”,’ she said.
Bouris asked if she thought she had interviewed the real Albanese or ‘the alter ego of him trying not to be the prime minister and just be Anthony Albanese, the Aussie’.
‘I think I got the real one,’ she said.
