Source : PERTHNOW NEWS
Housing Minister Clare O’Neil says the Coalition has “lost the plot” after the apparent leak of a diplomatic note sent by Japan over Anthony Albanese’s “melons” controversy was referred to the Australian Federal Police.
Last month, the Prime Minister appeared on comedy podcast Bush Deep, where he described receiving the gift of crown melons – the most prized fruit in Japan – from Sanae Takaichi during her visit in May.
He referenced the Japanese leader bringing “a couple of melons” before gesturing with his hands.
“She brought two, as you do,” Mr Albanese said
This week, The Australian reported details of a diplomatic cable from Japan dated July 13 that noted “sensationalised” reporting of Mr Albanese’s comments about Ms Takaichi.
Tokyo did not believe he had any “ill intention” and confirmed “no action” would be taken.
On Wednesday, Ms O’Neil told Seven’s Sunrise the opposition’s referral to the AFP was a waste of time.
“The Liberals have absolutely lost the plot here … 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,” she said.
This prompted Liberal frontbencher Michaelia Cash, appearing on the same program, to brand the controversy as having “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.
‘Provided to the media without authorisation’
A copy of the letter seen by NewsWire confirmed the Coalition had asked the AFP to investigate whether the Prime Minister’s Office asked the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet for a copy of the Japanese correspondence.
“We are concerned that a diplomatic note with a critical bilateral partner has potentially been provided to the media without authorisation,” the letter read.
“Given that communications between governments can be classified, it is possible that this disclosure is a criminal offence under Division 122 of the Commonwealth Criminal Code.”
The letter warned it was “critically important that Australia’s bilateral partners believe that their confidential correspondence will be handled appropriately by the Australian government”.
“It would be gravely damaging to our national interest if they formed the view the Australian government does not take unauthorised disclosure seriously by promptly investigating it,” it read.
In a press conference, opposition defence spokesman James Paterson – who co-authored the letter – later dismissed concerns around the referral by pointing to Labor’s own criticism of the leak of text messages sent in 2021 between French President Emmanuel Macron and then-prime minister Scott Morrison.
“In Senate estimates, senator Katy Gallagher pursued the (Coalition) government about whether or not there had been an AFP referral into that apparent leaking of those messages,” he said.
“So Labor can’t have it both ways.”
One Nation leader Pauline Hanson later weighed in on the matter, criticising Mr Albanese for not declaring the two melons given to him by Ms Takaichi.
On Wednesday, Senator Hanson accused him of having “misplaced his melons”.
She said there was “no sign of the royal crown melon on his parliamentary disclosure”.
“Or was it a couple of melons? Some of these melons can sell for tens of thousands of dollars,” Senator Hanson wrote.
Politicians are required to declare gifts above $750. NewsWire understands the fruit gifted by Ms Takaichi did not exceed this threshold.
The gift has been registered, as is standard practice, on an internal Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet register.
Senator Hanson also questioned why Mr Albanese’s transcript of the Bush Deep appearance was missing from his official website though did not mention that video of the full exchange had already been widely circulated online.
