Australia‘s High Court โUpholds Visa Ban for Conservative Commentator Candace Owens
CANBERRA, Australia – australia’s High Court on Wednesday dismissed โคan appeal by โฃCandace Owens, a prominent U.S.โค conservative commentator, confirming the โgovernment’s decision to deny her a visa. The ruling effectively prevents Owens โฃfrom traveling to Australia, โขa case that ignited debate over freedom of speech and national security โขconcerns.
The challenge centered on Immigration Minister Andrew Burke’s assessment that Owens posed a risk of inciting discordโค due to her 18 million social media โfollowers. Burke argued her presence in Australia โwould amplify potential extremism, particularly following a period last year โwhen โthe nation’sโ terrorism threat level wasโข elevated from “possible” to “probable,” coinciding with an observed “increase in extremism” reported by the Australian domestic spy agency.
Australia frequently utilizesโ broad discretion under its character test to refuse temporary visas to foreign nationals. This case drew international attention,โ particularly after Burke โpreviously revokedโฃ the visa of rapper Ye (formerly known as Kanye West) in Mayโข following the โrelease of his song “Heil Hitler.”
Owens initially planned to visit Australia to speak atโข events, butโ her visa was canceled in December 2023. she than sought judicial review, arguing the decision was unreasonable.โ The court โultimately sided with the government, โvalidating Burke’s assessment ofโค potential risk.
The decisionโค also โprompted a temporary visa refusal from neighboring New Zealand in November, basedโ on Australia’s rejection. Though, a New Zealand immigration officialโค afterward overturned that refusal โคin December, citing the “importance of free speech.”โ As of โWednesday, Owens’โค spokeswoman stated she had no details regarding plansโ for aโ visit to New Zealand.