Australia news live: RBA holds cash rate at 4.35%; PM defends Japan relationship after Coalition question over ‘classless’ melon comment

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 suggestin

The Australian prime minister has landed in hot water over a gesture involving two melons, which his office insists was not referring to his Japanese counterpart's body.