Follow today’s news live Get our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcast Ted O’Brien says that just because the Japanese government has downplayed melon-gate, doesn’t mean Anthony Albanese’s gaffe isn’t a “national embarrassment”. We’ve seen reports Japan sent a memo to the government last month suggesting they did not believe the prime minister’s comments about the pair of crown melons he received as a gift were made with “ill intention”. This is one of our most important partnerships. This is a national embarrassment. Now, we can say, ‘yes, but, you know, some people think it isn’t.’ Well, here we are on national radio talking about it. The Australian prime minister has been inappropriate … I’m the shadow minister for foreign affairs. I don’t have the authority to apologise on behalf of the government or the prime minister. If I did have that authority, I would have done so. People who want to have a punt should be allowed to have a punt. But we should also recognise it comes with harmful effects that need to be addressed … we’ve got to protect children from being exposed unnecessarily to gambling ads when really they should be spending time with family. I also believe in the importance of law and order, which is why we need to ensure that we push back against any predatory illegal behaviour of inducements and whatnot. Continue reading...