Anthony Albanese’s ‘shag, marry, date-gate’ underscores the double-edged sword of social media appearances

Everything in Canberra is content now, from performative questions to calculated outbursts and comments about Kylie Minogue

• Follow our Australia news live blog for latest updates

• Get our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcast

Anthony Albanese probably didn’t expect an interview with a comedian in her “Bush Barbie” character would have kickstarted the biggest firestorm of the week.

But the prime minister, appearing alongside a stuffed copy of his beloved cavoodle Toto – fell victim to an entirely avoidable and regrettable controversy when he played along with a “shag, marry, date” game.