Australia has taken a firm stance against far-right provocateur Candace Owens by rejecting her visa application ahead of a planned national speaking tour. Immigration Minister Tony Burke stated that Owens has the “capacity to incite discord,” leading to her ban from entering the country.
The US conservative influencer and podcast host has a controversial history of promoting conspiracy theories and antisemitic rhetoric, including comments that downplay the horrors of the Holocaust and Nazi medical experiments conducted on concentration camp prisoners.
Burke highlighted her record, stating, “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.” He concluded emphatically, “Australia’s national interest is best served when Candace Owens is somewhere else.”
Owens had intended to embark on a five-date speaking tour in November, with events scheduled in major cities such as Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth, and Adelaide. Tickets for her events ranged from $95 for general admission to $1,500 for an exclusive private dinner with the conservative media personality.
Her controversial statements have drawn sharp criticism. In July, she called well-documented Nazi medical experiments on prisoners “completely absurd” and “bizarre propaganda.” The US Anti-Defamation League has accused Owens of embracing and promoting antisemitic tropes, notably referring to Judaism as a “pedophile-centric religion.” LGBTQ+ advocacy organisation GLAAD has also condemned her for allegedly anti-trans comments, including labelling the trans equality movement as “evil” and “satanic.” Furthermore, Owens has controversially claimed that “white supremacy and white nationalism is not a problem that is harming Black America.”
Local Jewish groups opposed Owens’ Australian tour, while the opposition home affairs spokesman, James Paterson, described her as “a dangerous antisemite and a conspiracy theorist” during a Sky News interview. In August, Burke sought briefings from his department regarding Owens’ visit and consulted with the federal antisemitism envoy, Jillian Segal.
Owens’ tour was intended to attract audiences looking for alternative viewpoints and in-depth discussions on political and social issues. The tour website claimed, “Owens’ provocative approach often sparks debate, making the event a must-see for those who enjoy candid conversations about controversial issues.” However, Burke’s office confirmed that her visa had been denied, preventing her from entering Australia.
The Zionist Federation of Australia welcomed the decision, with chief executive Alon Cassuto stating, “Bigotry and antisemitism are unacceptable in any form, regardless of whether they originate from the far left or right.” He emphasised the importance of social cohesion in Australia, declaring that there is “no place in Australia for Candace Owens.”
Owens has made headlines in the past for suggesting that the US military should invade Australia to liberate its citizens “suffering under a totalitarian regime,” drawing alarming comparisons to historical figures such as Hitler, Stalin, and the Taliban during the pandemic. Her planned tour has now been thwarted, reflecting Australia’s commitment to combating divisive and incendiary rhetoric.
