Aussies divided over calls to ban Candace Owens from the country – as far-right US commentator lashes out
Australians are divided over calls to ban US far-right commentator Candace Owens from entering the country.
Home Secretary Tony Burke announced he would personally assess her visa application in preparation for her speaking tour in November.
A ticket to her shows in Sydney, Brisbane, Melbourne, Perth and Adelaide costs $95, but a VIP dinner with Ms Owens can cost up to $1,500.
Ms. Owens rose to fame during the Trump presidency and her controversial statements have sparked outrage.
She claimed that Israel was founded by a “cult” and called some of the atrocities during the Holocaust “completely absurd.”
Ms Owens also took aim at minority groups, claiming a link between transgender people, “clinical insanity” and a rise in mass shootings.
Mr Burke, who has the power to block or refuse a visa, said he would oversee the summary of Ms Owens’ application once it is submitted.
“My opposition to anti-Semitism and Islamophobia has always been open,” he said Friday.
“I have the legal authority to deny a visa to anyone who sows discord.”
Australians are divided after calls to ban controversial US political commentator Candace Owens (pictured) from obtaining a visa for her tour of live shows in Australia
Allegra Spender, independent MP for Wentworth in Sydney’s eastern suburbs, voiced her support for banning Ms Owens from leaving the country.
“Candace Owens should not be allowed to visit Australia,” she wrote.
‘Ms. Owens is a media provocateur who makes her living by sowing controversy, division and hatred.
‘We don’t need her input into the public debate in Australia, while we need to maintain social cohesion.’
Peter Wertheim, co-director of the Executive Council of Australian Jewry, said Ms Owens represented “stupid and malicious (reactions) on social media”.
He added that Ms Owens’ views do not meet the character test of the Migration Act and therefore she cannot be granted a visitor visa.
Some social media users immediately defended Ms. Owens.
“Our new Immigration Minister now has the opportunity to show the leadership needed to affirm that principle,” he said.
Mrs. Owens (center) poses for a photo with former US President Donald Trump (left) and her husband George Farmer (right)
Home Secretary Tony Burke, who has ministerial powers to refuse visas, said he would “personally” oversee Ms Owens’ application once it is lodged.
“You can’t stop someone from speaking just because you disagree with them,” one person wrote.
‘Maybe someone will try that with you someday.’
“I am a proponent of free speech. I may not agree with your views, but you have the right to have and express them,” wrote a second.
‘More talking, not less. Bad ideas die in the light of conversation.’
Ms Owens called Mr Burke’s comments “crazy” in a segment of her YouTube show that was streamed live on Saturday.
“I can’t imagine anyone in government saying, I’m going to personally make sure this person doesn’t come to my country because I don’t like the language he uses,” she told viewers.
‘I’ve never been to Australia… in America this would be a madhouse because we are so radical when it comes to freedom of expression.
“We simply believe in freedom of speech and freedom of debate.”