Tony Burke, Australia’s minister for immigration and multicultural affairs, said on Sunday that the government has rejected a visa request by far-right American political commentator Candace Owens for a five-stop speaking tour in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth and Adelaide.
He cited reasons including Holocaust denial and antisemitic conspiracy theories promoted by the former Daily Wire podcaster.
“From downplaying the impact of the Holocaust with comments about Mengele through to claims that Muslims started slavery, Candace Owens has the capacity to incite discord in almost every direction,” Burke said.
“Australia’s national interest is best served when Candace Owens is somewhere else,” he added.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Owens urged the U.S. military to invade Australia to liberate its citizens from what she dubbed an authoritarian state comparable to Nazi Germany, Communist Russia or Afghanistan under the Taliban.
Alon Cassuto, CEO of the Zionist Federation of Australia, said “bigotry and antisemitism are unacceptable in any form, regardless of whether they originate from the far left or right,” and “for the sake of our nation’s social cohesion, there is no place in Australia for Candace Owens.”
Tickets for the tour ranged in price from $95 for general admission to $295 for a “VIP meet and greet.” Those willing to pony up $1,500 could also enjoy Owens’ company for a private dinner.
