Anthony Albanese ‘Melongate’ escalates to AFP over alleged leak of confidential Japan correspondence
The Coalition has referred Albo’s melon controversy to the AFP over the alleged leak of confidential diplomatic correspondence.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s bizarre “Melongate” saga has escalated again, with the Coalition asking the Australian Federal Police to investigate the possible unlawful disclosure of confidential diplomatic correspondence from Japan.
What began with controversial remarks about Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi during a podcast appearance has now spilled into a dispute over how sensitive correspondence from one of Australia’s closest allies ended up in the media.
The Australian and 7NEWS reported on Monday night they had seen correspondence from Japan’s embassy which indicated Mr Albanese’s remarks had been sensationalised and that the Prime Minister had no ill intention.
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By continuing you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy.The Coalition has now written to the AFP Commissioner referring the possible unlawful disclosure of confidential information, with the federal police confirming it has received the correspondence but declining to comment further.
The escalation sparked a fiery clash between Housing Minister Clare O’Neil and Shadow Attorney-General Michaelia Cash on Sunrise on Wednesday morning.
Ms O’Neil dismissed the referral as a political stunt and accused the Opposition of wasting police resources.
“Nat, the Liberals have absolutely lost the plot here. They are referring this podcast matter to the Australian Federal Police,” she said.
“My personal view is that the Australian Federal Police should be allowed to focus on their job, which is keeping Australians safe and fighting crime for Australians.”
Ms O’Neil argued Australians were more concerned about mounting household bills, grocery costs, fuel, Medicare and education than the continuing controversy.
“Instead of wasting police time with this silly political stunt that you’re pulling, how about coming to Canberra and actually representing the people who elected you to Parliament?” she said.
But Senator Cash said the matter had moved beyond the original podcast controversy and now raised serious questions about the handling of sensitive diplomatic material.
“This has now gone from embarrassing to extraordinary. A sensitive diplomatic cable from one of our closest allies has ended up in the media, and the AFP should investigate that,” she said.
Senator Cash then turned her fire on Ms O’Neil and Labor over their response to Mr Albanese’s original remarks.
“You have just defended the grubby, dirty comments of our Prime Minister. Seriously, Clare, how could you possibly do that?” she said.
“Your hypocrisy is astounding, Clare.”
Ms O’Neil refused to engage with the attack, describing it as an “offensive diatribe” and again accusing the Coalition of blowing the controversy out of proportion.
“Wasting police time, wasting police time on a podcast like get real Michaelia, the country’s got real problems and your job is to come here and debate about those,” she said.
One Nation leader Pauline Hanson has also entered the growing controversy, questioning why a transcript of the podcast interview had not been published on the Prime Minister’s official website and raising questions about melon gifts.
The AFP referral means a saga the Government has repeatedly attempted to dismiss is unlikely to disappear just yet, with the focus now shifting from Mr Albanese’s original comments to how diplomatic correspondence concerning them found its way into the public domain.
