Conservative commentator Candace Owens has been barred from entering Australia after the nation’s High Court upheld a government decision that she could “incite discord” among local communities.
In a unanimous ruling issued Wednesday, Justices Stephen Gageler, Michelle Gordon, and Robert Beech-Jones concluded that while Australia recognizes an implied freedom of political communication, that principle “is not a ‘personal right,’ is not unlimited and is not absolute.”
The court emphasized that Australia’s Migration Act — which governs both temporary and permanent visas — grants the government authority to deny entry to anyone deemed likely to “stir up or encourage dissension or strife on political matters.”
“Ms Owens Farmer’s submissions should be emphatically rejected,” wrote High Court Justice James Edelman in a separate opinion, using Owens’ married name, Farmer.
In addition to the visa denial, the High Court ordered Owens to cover the government’s legal costs. A spokesperson for Owens did not respond to requests for comment.
Owens had initially applied for a visa in November 2024 to participate in a public speaking tour across Australia. Her request was denied by Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke, who cited the Migration Act’s “character requirements.” Owens subsequently appealed to the High Court, contending that the statute was unconstitutional because it violated her right to political expression.
The Department of Home Affairs defines “good character” as referring to “enduring moral qualities of a person.”
In rejecting her application, Burke said Owens had made “extremist and inflammatory comments towards Muslim, Black, Jewish and LGBTQIA+ communities which generate controversy and hatred.”
“In the current environment where the Australian community is experiencing heightened community tensions, as per the advice of Australia’s security apparatus, I find that there is a risk that Ms Farmer’s controversial views will amplify grievances among communities and lead to increased hostility and violent or radical action,” Burke said at the time.
Neither Burke nor the Department of Home Affairs has issued new comments following the court’s decision.
Owens now becomes the second high-profile American barred from entering Australia in recent months. In July, the rapper Ye — formerly known as Kanye West — had his visa revoked after authorities determined that his song “Heil Hitler” promoted Nazi ideology.
{Matzav.com}
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