melongate

Are all -gates post Watergate to some extent manufactured? Self-conscious -gates?  This one certainly is, but it is now embedded in Australian politics.  Albanese went on a podcast called Bush Deep Podcast, hosted by Nikki Osborne, and mentioned the Crown melon that he had been given by the Japanese Prime Minister, Sanae Takaichi, when he visited Japan.  He shaped the melon with his hands as he spoke, explaining how special it was and then added that he had been given not just one melon but two — extending his shaping to cover two melons.  The host of the show made much of this.

Outrage from the media and various politicians followed for some time.  The Japanese said they had not taken offence. Albanese said that he had not intended to offend and going on the show was an error but he tried to reach people through all styles of communication.  All serious politics was suspended until every last political advantage could be squeezed out of the gaffe.