Albo’s melons moment is no outrage. He’s more ‘daggy uncle’ than misogynist

August 11, 2026 — 11:30am

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Lord knows I have wanted to punch my own face many times when Anthony Albanese is on telly. His personality reminds me of a blancmange. I nod off every time when he starts intoning earnestly about anything. Zero charisma.

For mine, the best thing he ever did was pose for a photo arm in arm with my eldest at a community footy event when Labor was not in power. A printout of the shot is on our fridge, mostly because of Jack’s caption: “The opposition leader of Australia hanging out with the next prime minister.”

Boom tish! Love a gag.

Which is why I’m seeing Albo’s now-infamous melon comments as mildly funny rather than an outrage.

Taylor demands PM apologise for comment about Japanese ‘melons’

Quick recap for those who’ve missed the brouhaha: during a May visit, Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi gifted Albo two crown melons, the country’s most prized fruit that cost $270 a pop. The gift was a mark of respect.

Albo turned........

© The Age