Mr Albanese – who is in Britain for Saturday’s coronation of the King and Queen Consort – sat down with Morgan for a lengthy interview that featured a host of provocative questions.
Morgan was keen to know where Mr Albanese stood on some controversial topics – including an Australian republic, trans issues and the “cancellation” of comedian Barry Humphries.
“Barry Humphries was cancelled by the Melbourne International Comedy Show – it took his name off the top award for him being allegedly transphobic. What did you feel about that?” he asked Mr Albanese.
The PM dodged that controversy with all the skill of a trained politician. He said he learned only recently that the comedy festival had ditched Humphries’ name from its Barry Award, after deciding some of the comedian’s views were offensive.
After that, Morgan tried for a trickier topic – the definition of a woman.
“The New Zealand Prime Minister, Chris Hipkins, was asked to define a woman and he said, ‘Well, people identify for themselves’. He couldn’t answer. It was excruciating, to watch, to be honest with you. And this has been a sort of hot potato question for world leaders. Some of them seem incapable, including [Labour Party leader] Keir Starmer, here. What is a woman, Prime Minister?” he asked.
Mr Albanese replied: “An adult female.”
Morgan: “How difficult was that to answer?”
Mr Albanese: “Not too hard. I was asked during the campaign, actually. But I respect people for whoever they are. And it’s up to people to be respectful. And I know that controversy can come at times like that, and I’m not a fan of some of, the campaign – there was recently a very controversial visit in Australia that was designed to stir up issues. And young people coming to terms with their identity and who they are, I think that they need to be respected as well.”
Source: Cancel culture, women and oaths: PM sits down with Piers Morgan