We’re back to talking about melons and the podcast interview that continues to cause dramas for the prime minister.

Six weeks ago, Anthony Albanese appeared on a podcast called ‘Bush Deep’ and was asked about the worst gift he received. Melons, he replied, gifted to him by Japanese prime minister.

What was said, and not said, has become the focus of attacks from the media, the Coalition and One Nation this week.

So why has the issue reared its head again? And is it affecting Albanese’s reputation or are the Coalition and co over-egging it?

While all this was going on, the main game for the government was economic management.
Rates were placed on hold, but the Reserve Bank boss Michelle Bullock reminded everyone that she’d raise them if she had to. It comes as all the big banks forecast further drop-offs in house values – aren’t more affordable homes what we want? Or are the government's tax changes wreaking havoc on our struggling economy?

Today’s episode is hosted by Jacqueline Maley, with chief political correspondent Paul Sakkal.

We&rsquo;re back to talking about melons and the podcast interview that continues to cause dramas for the prime minister.
Six weeks ago, Anthony Albanese appeared on a podcast called &lsquo;Bush Deep&rsquo; and was asked about the worst gift he received. Melons, he replied, gifted to him by Japanese prime minister.
What was said, and not said, has become the focus of attacks from the media, the Coalition and One Nation this week.
So why has the issue reared its head again? And is it affecting Albanese&rsquo;s reputation or are the Coalition and co over-egging it?
While all this was going on, the main game for the government was economic management. Rates were placed on hold, but the Reserve Bank boss Michelle Bullock reminded everyone that she&rsquo;d raise them if she had to. It comes as all the big banks forecast further drop-offs in house values &ndash; aren&rsquo;t more affordable homes what we want? Or are the government's tax changes wreaking havoc on our struggling economy?
Today&rsquo;s episode is hosted by Jacqueline Maley, with chief political correspondent Paul Sakkal.

The Morning Edition (formerly Please Explain) brings you the story behind the story with the best journalists in Australia. Join host Samantha Selinger-Morris from the newsrooms of The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age, weekdays from 5am.

The Morning Edition (formerly Please Explain) brings you the story behind the story with the best journalists in Australia. Join host Samantha Selinger-Morris from the newsrooms of The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age, weekdays from 5am.

The Morning Edition

The Morning Edition brings you the story behind the story with the best journalists in Australia. Join host Samantha Selinger-Morris from the newsrooms of The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age, weekdays from 5am.

If you enjoy this podcast and want to hear more, please rate, review & subscribe on Apple, Spotify, YouTube or whichever platform you find your pods.

The Morning Edition&nbsp;brings you the story behind the story with the best journalists in Australia. Join host <a href="https://www.smh.com.au/by/samantha-selinger-morris-p4yvwp">Samantha Selinger-Morris</a> from the newsrooms of <a href="https://www.smh.com.au/">The Sydney Morning Herald</a> and <a href="https://www.theage.com.au/">The Age</a>, weekdays from 5am.
If you enjoy this podcast and want to hear more, please rate, review &amp; subscribe on <a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/au/channel/smh-the-age/id6442611511">Apple</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://open.spotify.com/show/1v0tWOA2mdi5WU9hvjJ3da?si=f4b8d7fafdf5495d">Spotify</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLrLulycax3584BxKI1ZqSySsouknCWiUa">YouTube</a>&nbsp;or whichever platform you&nbsp;find your pods.

The melon story – Is the prime minister just really bad at saying sorry?

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/88b564ea-a9a6-4751-910a-a5d800019396/clips/72a5fce1-4389-4e3e-a906-b4a5005c614d/transcript