Brief Summary
Conservative US influencer Candace Owens was denied entry to both Australia and New Zealand for speaking engagements. This decision was based on her controversial remarks, including minimizing the Holocaust and promoting conspiracy theories. Owens was scheduled to speak on free speech and her Christian faith, but her views have been deemed harmful and divisive by both countries.
- Owens was banned from Australia in October due to her comments about the Holocaust and Muslims.
- New Zealand followed suit, refusing her a visa because she had been banned from another country.
Australia's Ban on Candace Owens
Australian officials banned Candace Owens from the country in October, citing her remarks about the Holocaust and Muslims. Immigration Minister Tony Burke stated that Owens has the capacity to incite discord and that Australia's national interest is best served by keeping her out. Australian Jewish groups had urged officials to bar her from the country.
New Zealand's Refusal of Entry
New Zealand officials did not explicitly mention Owens' political views in their statement. Instead, they stated that she was refused an entertainers work permit because visas cannot be granted to those who have been excluded from another country. This decision was made despite Owens' planned speaking tour on free speech and her Christian faith.
Owens' Controversial Remarks
Candace Owens has been criticized for promoting conspiracy theories and antisemitism. She has made controversial remarks opposing Black Lives Matter, feminism, vaccines, and immigration. In March, she parted ways with the Daily Wire after clashes over her comments about Jews and her opposition to US military support for Israel. She was widely criticized for comments in a YouTube video in July that minimized the Holocaust.
