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Australia PM regrets podcast, home sales plunge
Archived — this story has rotated out of today’s deck. It is kept here in full.
The gist
Australia PM Albanese regrets Bush Deep podcast melon joke. Home sales to overseas buyers plunge after ban.
Background
Anthony Albanese appeared on the comedy podcast Bush Deep last month, where he joked about Japanese PM Sanae Takaichi's gift of melons, sparking media controversy dubbed 'melon-gate'. He later apologized and now says he regrets the appearance. Separately, the government announced a ban on foreigners buying Australian homes, leading to a plunge in overseas purchases.
How it unfolded
- last monthAlbanese appeared on Bush Deep podcast, making a joke about Japanese PM's melon gift.
- recentlyAlbanese apologized for 'elements of the podcast' and said he learned he needs 'to do better every day'.
- recentlyGovernment announced ban on foreigners buying Australian homes; overseas purchases plunge.
Who’s saying what
- Official
- Albanese said he wouldn't have done the podcast if he had his time again, calling it 'an error'.
- Critics
- Hancock Agriculture criticized Albanese's 'arrogance and vulgarity', calling his behavior 'crass' and 'greasy'.
- Japan
- Japan's ambassador said Australia informed them Albanese did not make comments as reported, while former ambassador noted Takaichi has faced derogatory remarks.
Still unverified
The exact nature of Albanese's hand gestures and the full context of the joke are disputed; Japan's ambassador said comments were not as reported.