Controversial podcaster Candace Owens, who has faced backlash for spewing antisemitic rhetoric, was 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 somewhere else,” Immigration Minister Tony Burke told local media outlet news.com.au.
“From downplaying the impact of the Holocaust with comments about Mengele through to claims that Muslims started slavery, Candace Owens has the capacity to incite discord in almost every direction.”
Owens was due in Australia for a live tour that was scheduled to begin Nov. 17 in Melbourne.
Tickets for her appearances range from $95 for reserved seating to around $1,500 for a “VIP” dinner with Owens before the shows.
“Join us for an electrifying evening with Candace Owens, the outspoken and fearless American conservative social commentator, author, activist, and YouTube sensation,” the promoters state on the tour website.
“Known for her controversial takes and unwavering stance, Candace is set to 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 came across his desk.
“Tickets to these events are selling for $100. I hope she has a good refunds 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 knock back [deny] a visa to anyone who would incite discord.”
A spokesperson for Owens told The Post that the podcaster was traveling abroad and unavailable to comment. Owens will address Australia’s denial of her visa on her Tuesday show, which will stream at 4 p.m. Eastern time.
Australian Jewish officials praised the government’s actions.
“At a time of unprecedented strains on the cohesiveness of Australian society, which is very largely the outcome of ignorant and malicious comment on social media, the last thing we need to be importing into our country is yet another so-called celebrity who has made racist and bigoted comments about Jews and other vulnerable groups,” said Peter Wertheim, co-chief executive of the Executive Council of Australian Jewry.
Owens, who is black, is a former blogger who rose to prominence during the Donald Trump presidency because of her advocacy for “Blexit” — a “black exit” whereby African Americans would cease supporting the Democratic Party — as well as 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 popular conservative commentator.
Owens and Shapiro clashed publicly over comments made by the former following the outbreak of hostilities in the wake of the Oct. 7 Hamas terrorist 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 venue for a debate.
But while the two traded barbs on social media, Daily Wire lawyers managed to obtain a gag order against Owens which prohibited her from disparaging the company.
Since then, she has launched her own podcast. As of Monday, Owens commanded a following of more than 5 million users on Instagram, 2.8 million viewers on YouTube and 5.8 million followers on X.