Australia has rejected a visa application from US conservative commentator Candace Owens for her planned November speaking tour, with Immigration Minister Tony Burke expressing concerns about her potential to "incite discord" in the country, according to the Guardian. The decision, announced on Sunday, comes after scrutiny of Owens' past controversial statements, including comments about the Holocaust and various minority groups.
"From downplaying the impact of the Holocaust with comments about [notorious Nazi doctor Josef] Mengele through to claims that Muslims started slavery, Candace Owens has the capacity to incite discord in almost every direction," Burke said in a statement. "Australia's national interest is best served when Candace Owens is somewhere else."
BREAKING: The Australian government just denied Hitler fan and Holocaust denier Candace Owens a visa
LMAOOOOOOOOOO Owned pic.twitter.com/0O3HQdSf8d
— Drew Pavlou ???????? (@DrewPavlou) October 27, 2024
The US media personality had scheduled a five-city speaking tour across Australia, with events planned in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth, and Adelaide. Ticket prices ranged from $95 for general admission to $295 for VIP meet-and-greet sessions, with exclusive private dinner options priced at $1,500.
The speaking tour's website had promoted the events as appealing to "audiences seeking alternative viewpoints and in-depth discussions on pressing political and social topics," noting that "Owens' provocative approach often sparks debate, making the event a must-see for those who enjoy candid conversations about controversial issues."
The US Anti-Defamation League has previously criticized Owens for promoting antisemitic rhetoric, while LGBTQ+ advocacy group GLAAD has highlighted her statements regarding transgender issues. During a July broadcast, Owens questioned documented Nazi medical experiments on prisoners, describing such accounts as "completely absurd" and "bizarre propaganda."
Opposition home affairs spokesman James Paterson supported the visa denial, having previously described Owens as "a dangerous antisemite and a conspiracy theorist" during an interview with Sky News.
Zionist Federation of Australia Chief Executive Alon Cassuto welcomed the government's decision. "Bigotry and antisemitism are unacceptable in any form, regardless of whether they originate from the far left or right," Cassuto said. "For the sake of our nation's social cohesion, there is no place in Australia for Candace Owens."
The tour promoter, Rocksman, and Owens' management team did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Owens has not addressed the visa rejection on her social media platforms.
During Australia's COVID-19 pandemic restrictions, Owens had suggested that the US military should invade Australia to "free its people suffering under a totalitarian regime," while drawing comparisons to Hitler, Stalin, and the Taliban.
