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Deals of the Week 2:10AMMonday, November 10th, 2025 In the know quiz Set your local weather Breaking News Courts & Law Courts & Law Courts & Law Courts & Law South Australia Western Australia Northern Territory Breaking News North America US Politics South America Middle East UK Politics Health Problems Mental Health Inspiration Weight Loss School Life Restaurants & Bars Food Warnings Relationships The Sealed Section Family & Friends Fashion Shows Fashion Trends Face & Body Cosmetic Surgery True Stories Lifestyle Videos Travel Ideas Short Breaks Food & Drinks Destinations North America New Zealand Middle East Central America South America Travel Advice Tips & Tricks Accommodation Australian Holidays Northern Territory South Australia Western Australia Travel Videos Entertainment Celebrity Life Hook Ups & Break ups Celebrity Photos Celebrity Kids Celebrity Deaths Celebrity Style What To Watch Morning Shows Current Affairs Upcoming Movies Movies Reviews Music Festivals Books & Magazines Golden Globes Entertainment Videos Social Media Mobile Phones Home Entertainment Archaeology Environment Climate Change Sustainability Natural Wonders Motoring News On the Road Technology Videos Cost of Living How to Save Salary Secrets Personal Finance Superannuation Australian Culture Power & Influence Inside Parliament Gig Economy Breaking News Manufacturing Other Industries Australian Economy World Economy Interest Rates Federal Budget Australian Markets World Markets Australian Dollar Cryptocurrency Real Estate Sydney & NSW Melbourne & VIC Adelaide & SA Cricket Live Scores V8 Supercars Sports Life American Sports Paralympics Horse Racing Expert Opinion More Sports Sport Videos Sales & Deals Home & Appliances Health & Wellbeing Entertainment ‘Ratbags’: Why Anthony Albanese has been texting Russell Crowe Anthony Albanese has revealed he’s been in touch with Russell Crowe over comments the star made on Joe Rogan’s podcast about “what's wrong with Australia”. Samantha Maiden @samanthamaiden November 10, 2025 - 8:32AM Share via Email Share on Facebook Share on Whatsapp Прослушать эту статью Copied URL to clipboard Anthony Albanese has revealed he texted Russell Crowe after he slammed the “conga line of stupidity” within Australian politics that included criticism of the Prime Minister’s Joy Division T-shirt. Speaking on the popular podcast, The Joe Rogan Experience, last week, Crowe said he believed Aussies were “lucky at the moment”, after being asked by Joe Rogan: “What is wrong with Australia?” “We have a Prime Minister who’s very much motivated by trying to help everybody, which should be the job of a politician right? To improve the lives of the people they represent,” Russell Crowe said. “He’s kind of inherited a conga line of stupidity. He’s trying to fix things.” Copied URL to clipboard Asked about the exchange on KIIS FM on Monday morning, the Prime Minister told hosts Jackie O and Kyle Sandilands that he had been in touch with the actor to thank him. “Joe Rogan says, ‘What’s wrong with Australia? What’s going on there? As if we’ve something’s going wrong down here?’” Sandilands said. “We love our life in Australia. It’s the most magnificent country ever. “We’re away from a lot of the rat bags. And Russell said something really lovely and spot on, I think, about our prime minister, Albo. I don’t even agree with Albo politically on every single decision they make, but what I do like about our prime minister is he is here to serve everyone in Australia.” In response, Mr Albanese said they were “very generous comments.” Anthony Albanese revealed he had been in touch with Russell Crowe. Picture: NewsWire/Alex Ellinghausen Kyle Sandilands quizzed the prime minister on the Gladiator star’s comments. Picture: Instagram “He’s a great guy, and it was very good of him,’’ Mr Albanese said. “He obviously didn’t have to do that. I wasn’t aware that he’d done it till it popped up on my feed. Someone drew it to my attention and sent it to me. “I just, you know, sent him a text message to say, thank you for your generous comment.” The Gladiator star said on the podcast the PM was working “extremely hard” and deserved credit for recent international achievements – but that political opponents and sections of the media were quick to discredit him. “He arrived off a plane the other day, just came back from some very successful international meetings where he’s established various trade things and opportunities for Australia,” Crowe said. “(He) gets off the plane wearing a Joy Division shirt – big band from his youth – and he’s just a relaxed character. He’s been wearing a suit and tie for weeks on the road.” Russell Crowe appeared on The Joe Rogan Experience podcast. Picture: YouTube/JoeRogan Rogan asked Crowe: ‘What’s wrong with Australia?’ Picture: YouTube/JoeRogan The actor then criticised Sussan Ley, after she pointed out the origins of the name “Joy Division” – a term historically associated with sexual slavery units in Nazi Germany. “The member of the opposition wanted to point out, and did so in parliament, that Joy Division is a Nazi term … and it’s like okay, what’s the point of that?” Crowe said. “We all know it’s a band name, right? Just because you like the Rolling Stones doesn’t mean that you want rocks to be falling on people. What are you f***ing talking about? “That’s what we’re facing all the time,” Crowe continued. “Picking up some pointless piece of minutiae and lighting it on fire to cover up the reality that the Prime Minister worked his ass off on behalf of the country and successfully achieved a bunch of things. “(He) should be patted on the back, not pushed down the stairs.” The prime minister in his Joy Division band T-shirt. Picture: Screengrab Opposition leader Sussan Ley was unhappy with Mr Albanese’s choice of T-shirt. Picture: NewsWire/Martin Ollman But not everyone agreed with the comments, with some claiming the actor was “out of touch”. More Coverage Bonnie crashes out in humiliating twist 25yo angry she can’t afford $4 million home Mary Madigan “He’s detached from the ordinary person. He spends half the time jet setting around the world, making movies, living the life. The rest of the time at his bush property. He doesn’t know what normal people are going through,” one commenter said. Last month, Ms Ley accused Mr Albanese of “displaying the wrong values” by wearing a black T-shirt depicting the cover of Joy Division’s hit album Unknown Pleasures. “At a time when Jewish Australians are facing a rise in anti-Semitism, when families are asking for reassurance and unity, the Prime Minister chose to parade an image derived from hatred and suffering,” she said. Read related topics:Anthony Albanese More related stories Celebrity Deaths ‘Magnificent life’: Star’s tribute to John Laws Oscar-winning actor Russell Crowe has joined the chorus of voices paying tribute to Australian radio legend John Laws, who has died aged 90. Alan Jones addresses ‘rivalry’ in Laws tribute Legendary broadcaster John Laws, known as 'Golden Tonsils' and famed for his gold microphone and seven-decade radio career, has died. ‘The way he treated us was disgraceful’ A radio star who has just landed a high-profile gig with KIIS FM has been accused of poor behaviour by two former co-workers. 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