Australia’s prime minister refuses to apologise to Japanese counterpart over melon gaffe

Anthony Albanese facing criticism after appearing to joke on a podcast about a gift of melons from Sanae Takaichi

Australian prime minister Anthony Albanese has rejected calls to apologise to Japan’s prime minister over a joke he made about melons on a satirical podcast, amid a media frenzy and accusations of sexual innuendo.

Government MPs have defended the prime minister as criticism mounted over last month’s remarks, branded by the Coalition opposition as “grubby”. Assistant minister Pat Gorman told media: “I don’t know why we’re still talking about this”.