The comic offered to buy the nearly two-foot-tall artwork, Fallen Fruit, for $ 10 and donate $ 10,000 to a local food bank.
He made the offer on his popular HBO show Last Week Tonight.
The comic made an offer to buy a controversial banana statue that was removed from the streets of Melbourne after being attacked by vandals last year. (new)
However, Yarra City Council has resisted the offer and has invited Oliver to come to Australia to see him in person.
As a sweetener, Oliver offered his crocodile statue as a replacement.
“Because the people of Melbourne seem to think that their money has been wasted, I could have a solution for you because I would gladly get this banana out of your hands,” Oliver told viewers.
“What could be more Australian than a dangerous animal telling anyone approaching to finish it?”
Comedian John Oliver has made an offer to buy a controversial banana statue (Facebook)
Through social media, Food Bank Victoria responded to the offer.
“If you know the whereabouts of this giant banana, $ 10,000 (20,000 meals) could be used to help feed the Victorians who are struggling right now! Just say so,” the post said.
The nearly two-meter-tall statue was created by artist Adam Stone and commissioned by Yarra City Council.
The $ 22,000 installation was created by artist Adam Stone and was commissioned by the City Council through a Transportation Accident Commission.
The work is part of an initiative to activate and improve road safety on Rose Street.
Currently, the statue remains secure in storage.