Right-wing American commentator Candace Owens has been refused entry to Australia for her upcoming speaking tour.
Immigration Minister Tony Burke confirmed the conservative online influencer would not be granted a visa, saying “Australia’s national interest is best served when Candace Owens is somewhere else”.
“From downplaying the impact of the Holocaust with comments about [Nazi physician Josef] Mengele through to claims that Muslims started slavery, Candace Owens has the capacity to incite discord in almost every direction,” Mr Burke said.
Owens has almost 3 million subscribers on YouTube, where she publishes interviews and political commentary, regularly sharing conspiracy theories and criticism of social movements such as Black Lives Matter.
In July she described stories about Nazi experiments on twins in concentration camps during World War II as “completely absurd” and “bizarre propaganda”.
Her speaking tour of Australia, scheduled for November, is advertised as “provocative” and appealing to audiences seeking “alternative viewpoints”.
“Known for her controversial takes and unwavering stance, Candace is set to light up stages across Australia and New Zealand with her bold and unfiltered perspectives,” reads a description on ticketing website Ticketek.
In an announcement video posted to her social media accounts in August, Owens said Australian audiences would hear her “discuss everything they do not want us speaking about” including “freedom of speech” and “why Christ really is king”.
Tickets to Candace Owens Live range from $95 for general admission, to $1500 for a VIP package which includes a pre-show dinner, champagne reception and a meet and greet with Owens.
The show includes stops in Sydney, Perth, Melbourne, Adelaide and Brisbane.
The Anti-Defamation Commission, a pro-Jewish group which campaigned to have Owen’s visa revoked, said the immigration minister’s decision was “a victory for truth”.
“Australia has no place for those who mock the suffering of genocide survivors and insult the memories of the 6 million Jews who perished,” chairman Dvir Abramovich said.
“This is a line in the sand.”
Owens has not yet publicly responded to the visa refusal and tour promoter Rocksman has been contacted for comment.
