Federal Assistant Minister Rebecca White has sidestepped repeated questions about her involvement in a controversial 'shoot, shag or marry' game, choosing instead to focus on the launch of a vital women's health service during a visit to Perth.
Controversial Game Sparks Formal Complaint
The Tasmanian MP, who holds the portfolio for Assistant Minister for Women, Health and Aged Care, was reportedly overheard playing the provocative game with two state Labor colleagues at a Hobart festival on December 30, 2025. According to local reports, the game involved ranking male Liberal MPs, and the conversation was heard by a Liberal MP who subsequently filed a formal complaint.
An apology was issued the following week by Ms White, her state colleagues Ella Haddad and Sarah Lovell, as well as Tasmanian Labor leader Josh Willie. The apology was accepted by the complainant.
'No Further Comment' Says Minister on Perth Visit
While in Joondalup, Western Australia, to tour a soon-to-open endometriosis and pelvic pain clinic, Ms White was pressed on the incident. She firmly declined to elaborate, stating the matter was closed.
"I did make an apology, and that apology was accepted so as far as I’m concerned, I’ve got no further comment," Ms White told reporters. "The apology was accepted, I’m here today to talk about women’s health, which I think is a really important matter."
The clinic she visited is significant for WA, being the third of its kind in the state and the first located north of the Swan River.
Festival Fallout and Colleague's Comments
The Assistant Minister was also asked about separate remarks made by her federal colleague, Resources Minister and WA MP Madeleine King, regarding the Adelaide Writers' Festival. Minister King had expressed surprise that Palestinian-Australian author Randa Abdel-Fattah was invited to the event, describing some of the author's past commentary as "vile".
Dr Abdel-Fattah's removal from the festival program, cited as due to "cultural sensitivity" following the Bondi terrorist attack, led to a mass walkout by other guests and board members. The festival, which was scheduled to run from February 27 to March 15, 2026, was officially cancelled on Tuesday, January 13.
Ms White stated she was not across the details of that particular issue, maintaining her focus on the health announcement during her Perth trip.
