What's happened
Australia has denied Candace Owens a visa ahead of her planned speaking tour, citing her history of controversial remarks that could incite discord. Immigration Minister Tony Burke emphasized that her presence would not serve the national interest. Local Jewish groups have praised the decision, viewing it as a stand against antisemitism.
Why it matters
What the papers say
According to The Guardian, Immigration Minister Tony Burke stated, "Australia’s national interest is best served when Candace Owens is somewhere else," highlighting concerns over her capacity to incite discord. The Independent reported that local leaders had been advocating for her visa rejection since summer due to her controversial remarks about the Holocaust. The NY Post noted that Owens planned to address topics like 'freedom of speech' during her tour, but her history of incendiary comments has drawn significant criticism from various groups, including the Anti-Defamation League.
How we got here
Owens, a conservative commentator, was scheduled for a November tour in Australia. Her past comments, including downplaying the Holocaust and making inflammatory statements about various groups, led to significant backlash and calls for her visa denial from local leaders and advocacy groups.
More on these topics
-
Anthony Stephen Burke is an Australian Labor Party politician serving as Manager of Opposition Business since 2013, and has served as Member of Parliament for Watson since 2004.
-
Candace Amber Owens Farmer is an American conservative author, commentator, and political activist. Initially critical of President Donald Trump and the Republican Party, Owens has become known for her increasingly pro-Trump activism as a black woman, in
-
Australia, officially known as the Commonwealth of Australia, is a sovereign country comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands.