Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has faced accusations from the country’s opposition coalition of making ‘disrespectful’ comments about Sanae Takaichi, a prominent Japanese politician. On Friday, while appearing on Nova’s Bushpigs podcast, Albanese discussed the ‘Royal Melons’—a gift presented by Takaichi during her visit to Australia. Takaichi had gifted him two special melons grown in Shizuoka to celebrate the reopening of the Australian market to Japanese melon imports. Podcast host Nikki Osborne jokingly asked if Takaichi had smuggled the melons past customs, accompanying her question with a suggestive hand gesture and a reference to actress Pamela Anderson. In response, Albanese mimicked the gesture and said, “She brought a couple of melons.” He added, “She brought two, as is customary. And they were very nice.” The Daily Mail reported this story.
Opposition communications spokesperson Sarah Henderson stated that Albanese should apologize to Sanae Takaichi and all women for his comments on the podcast. She accused the Prime Minister of dragging women into his “crude locker-room talk.” Albanese had previously faced criticism for participating in a controversial game during an interview. In that instance, he was asked to choose which of three women—pop star Kylie Minogue, actress Nicole Kidman, and performer Rhonda Burchmore—he would want as a sexual partner, whom he would marry, and whom he would take on a date.
Albanese replied, “I’ve only just got married. It’s been barely six months.” Host Osborne then jokingly asked, “But what if the relationship fell apart?” Albanese answered, “Kylie, definitely.” Osborne followed up, “You’d marry Kylie?” “Will you go on a date? And have a sexual partner too?” Albanese laughed and replied, “All of the above. She’s wonderful.”
At another point in the podcast, Osborne asked personal questions about Albanese and his new wife, Jodie Haydon. She wanted to know if they were “having sex as frequently as rabbits.” Albanese replied, “When we find the time.” He added, “After the football match ends. When our favorite NRL team, the Souths, wins, it creates quite a romantic atmosphere.”
Amidst the criticism, Defence Minister Richard Marles and Social Services Minister Tanya Plibersek came to Albanese’s defense. They argued that Albanese’s long-standing positive track record regarding women’s rights and support should also be taken into account.
However, independent MP Zali Steggall stated that it was entirely inappropriate for the Prime Minister to answer that question. She remarked that he should have known how to deflect such questions, set an example, and clearly state that it was misogynistic behavior. One Nation MP Barnaby Joyce also commented on the matter, stating that Albanese’s remarks were beneath his dignity.
Speaking on the program Sunrise on Monday, Joyce said that many people feel disappointed with the Australian Prime Minister, noting that there was no need for him to participate in such a frivolous game. When asked what he would have done if faced with the same question, Joyce replied that he would have sidestepped it, just as most people would. Anthony Albanese has since publicly apologized for his comments.
