‘What a stuttering mess’: Albanese’s response to controversial question slammed by trans-activists

Anthony Albanese has come under fire for his response to a controversial question raised in an interview with talk-show host Piers Morgan.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has sparked backlash over his response to a controversial question posed by English journalist Piers Morgan.

The federal Labor leader featured in what the Piers Morgan Uncensored host described as an “extraordinary exclusive interview”, which aired at 8pm on Tuesday night UK time.

The monarchy, cricket, cancel culture, Donald Trump and Mr Albanese’s upbringing were among the topics the pair discussed in an extensive interview which will feature on Sky News at 11pm on Wednesday night in Australia.

Anthony Albanese was asked a tough question by Piers Morgan. Picture: Twitter

However, the sit-down chat wasn’t entirely a walk in the park for Mr Albanese, who was at one stage asked “one of the most controversial questions of modern times”.

“What is a woman Prime Minister?” Morgan asked.

“An adult female,” Mr Albanese replied instantly.

In response, the British journalist proceeded to question: “how difficult was that to answer?”

“Not too hard,” Mr Albanese said while slightly shrugging his shoulders and shaking his head.

“I was asked during the (election) campaign actually.”

The Prime Minister continued by telling Morgan he respected people for who they were.

“It’s up to people to be respective and I know that … controversy can come at times like that,” he acknowledged.

Mr Albanese continued to explain he didn’t support some of the campaigns against transgender issues, hinting at anti-transgender activist Kellie-Jay Keen-Minshull’s visit to Australia in March.

“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 they need to be respected,” he said.

pic.twitter.com/ludduyVxmb

— Tess Hall (@tesshall) May 2, 2023

But his response quickly led to intense debate online, with some accusing the Prime Minister of not acknowledging transgender women in his statement.

Trans activist and blogger Eleanor Evans said Mr Albanese used the question as an opportunity to “drop anti-trans dogwhistles while umming and ahhing about ‘respect’”.

“All through this he couldn’t even bring himself to say the word ‘trans’,” she tweeted.

Political reporter Amy Remeikis accused the PM of “legitimising” a “hateful question”.

Here’s the PM last year being asked the same question - what is a woman - and giving the same answer he gave on the bad UK show - it was a dumb question then, it’s even more hateful now and that the leader of our country is legitimising this is 🫠🫠🫠https://t.co/C9Zj2ZvU03

— Amy Remeikis (@AmyRemeikis) May 2, 2023

Following Mr Albanese’s response, Morgan transitioned into the topic of transgender athletes in sport.

“What would you do for example on this issue of transgender athletes in women’s sports?” he asked.

“Many sport authorities are now beginning to move to exclude them because they say it’s simply not fair.”

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has sat down for an interview with Piers Morgan ahead of King Charles III’s coronation. Picture: Twitter

Mr Albanese responded by saying the example Morgan raised indicated sporting organisations were dealing with the issue, which he inferred was the right way to manage the matter.

Morgan then asked Mr Albanese if he thought transgender athletes participating in women’s sports was fair, to which he replied: “In Australia, the sporting codes are able to deal with that and they have”.

This response sparked more fury online, with some viewers claiming the Prime Minister avoided the question.

“Dodged the trans women in female sport question – disappointing response from a ‘leader’,” one person tweeted.

“Sounded like a lot of waffle with no direct answer to the question!” another said.

A third comment said: “‘I think…I think’ - what a stuttering mess”.

Despite the criticism, there was still support for the Prime Minister, with some arguing his response was better than the attempts of other politicians in the past.

“Don’t trans women count as an ‘adult female’? Plus I think he said we need to be respectful of trans people, which is hardly terf-friendly,” one person said.

Founder of the female-only app Giggle Sall Grover tweeted: “The Australian Prime Minister said that a woman is an ‘adult female’, which is correct”.

Mr Albanese met the King on Tuesday ahead of the coronation. Picture: Jonathan Brady – WPA Pool/Getty Images

Mr Albanese is currently in London ahead of the King’s upcoming coronation.

“I’ve just arrived in London – a busy agenda in the United Kingdom,” he tweeted on Tuesday evening.

“Ahead of the Coronation of King Charles III on Saturday, (British) Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and I will be meeting to further discussions on the Australia-UK Free Trade Agreement.”

Mr Albanese added his plans involved a visit to the submarine manufacturing facility in Barrow-in-Furness to see how the AUKUS deal is boosting jobs and defence capabilities.

“I‘ll be meeting with other world leaders to strengthen Australia’s relationships around the world,” he wrote.

“At the coronation I’m proud to be joined by a group of eminent Australians – led by our flag bearer Sam Kerr.”

Mr Albanese also sat down with Morgan ahead of his meeting with King Charles.

“It was a pleasure to meet King Charles III again at Buckingham Palace, and an honour to represent Australia at his Coronation,” he tweeted.

Originally published as ‘What a stuttering mess’: Albanese’s response to controversial question slammed by trans-activists