Pauline Hanson has criticised Anthony Albanese over remarks he made about Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s gift of melons, arguing that they were inappropriate and seeking an apology. The dispute has become politically significant because it concerns diplomatic respect towards a key regional partner and has given Labor’s opponents another line of attack.

Takaichi presented Albanese with Shizuoka Crown Melons during her May visit to Australia; the fruit is a high-value Japanese gift and Australia had lifted import restrictions on Japanese melons in January. Japan’s government said the exchange involved no ill intent, while the Coalition called for scrutiny of correspondence said to have been leaked concerning the matter.