Controversial podcaster Candace Owens, who has faced backlash for spreading anti-Semitic rhetoric, has been denied entry to Australia for an upcoming tour because of past statements that included “downplaying the impact of the Holocaust”, a government official said.
“Australia’s national interest is best served when Candace Owens is elsewhere,” Immigration Minister Tony Burke told local media news.com.au.
“From downplaying the impact of the Holocaust with comments about Mengele to claims that Muslims started slavery, Candace Owens has the ability to stir up controversy in almost every direction.”
Owens was due to head to Australia for a live tour that was scheduled to begin on November 17 in Melbourne.
Tickets for her appearances range from $95 for reserved seats to about $1,500 for a “VIP” dinner with Owens before the shows.
“Join us for an electrifying evening with Candace Owens, the outspoken and fearless conservative American social commentator, author, activist and YouTube sensation,” promoters state on the tour’s website.
“Known for her controversial stances and unwavering attitude, Candace will light up stages across Australia and New Zealand with her bold and unfiltered perspectives.”
Burke, a member of the ruling Labor Party, had said in August that he would “personally” review Owens’ visa application if one crossed his desk.
“Tickets for these events are sold for $100. I hope she has a good refund policy,” he said at the time.
“My opposition to anti-Semitism and Islamophobia has always been on the record.”
He added that he has “clear legal powers to return [deny] a visa for anyone who would incite dissension.”
A spokesperson for Owens told The Post that the podcaster was traveling abroad and was not available for comment. Owens will address the visa rejection from Australia on her Tuesday show, which airs at 4pm ET.
Australian Jewish officials praised the government’s actions.
“At a time of unprecedented tensions over the cohesiveness of Australian society, which is largely the result of ignorant and malicious comments on social media, the last thing we need to import into our country is another so-called celebrity who has made racist comments and bigotry about Jews and other vulnerable groups,” said Peter Wertheim, co-executive director of the Executive Council of Australian Jews.
Owens, who is black, is a former blogger who rose to prominence during Donald Trump’s presidency for her advocacy of “Blexit” — a “black exit” where African-Americans would stop supporting the Party Democratic – as well as because of her denunciations of the Black Lives Matter Movement.
In 2021, she was hired to do a podcast by the Daily Wire, which was co-founded by Ben Shapiro, the well-known conservative commentator.
Owens and Shapiro clashed publicly over comments made by the former after hostilities flared following the October 7 Hamas terror attacks that killed 1,200 Israelis.
In March, Owens and the Daily Wire parted ways. In the weeks that followed, Shapiro and Owens were publicly negotiating the time and place for a debate.
But as the two traded barbs on social media, The Daily Wire’s lawyers managed to get a fake injunction against Owens that stopped him from disparaging the company.
She has since launched her own podcast. As of Monday, Owens had a following of more than 5 million users on Instagram, 2.8 million viewers on YouTube and 5.8 million followers on X.
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