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Conservative US commentator Candace Owens denied entry to Australia ahead of national speaking tour
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Conservative US commentator Candace Owens denied entry to Australia ahead of national speaking tour

Right-wing American commentator Candace Owens has been refused entry to Australia for her upcoming speaking tour.

Immigration Minister Tony Burke confirmed the conservative online influencer would not be granted a visa, saying “Australia’s national interests are best served when Candace Owens is elsewhere.”

“Candace Owens has the capacity to incite disagreement in almost any direction, from downplaying the impact of the Holocaust with her comments about (Nazi doctor Josef) Mengele to claims that Muslims introduced slavery,” Mr. Burke said.

Candace Owens gesturing in front of the microphone

Candace Owens was planning to speak at shows in Sydney, Perth, Melbourne, Adelaide and Brisbane. (Reuters: Benoit Tessier)

Owens has almost 3 million subscribers on YouTube; where he posts interviews and political commentary, regularly shares conspiracy theories and critiques social movements such as Black Lives Matter.

In July, he described stories about Nazi experiments on twins in concentration camps during the Second World War as “utter nonsense” and “bizarre propaganda”.

His Australian speaking tour, scheduled for November, is being promoted as “provocative” and appeals to audiences looking for “alternative perspectives”.

“Known for her controversial approaches and unwavering stance, Candace is set to light up stages across Australia and New Zealand with her bold and unfiltered perspectives,” reads ticket website Ticketek.

woman wearing blue jacket speaks into microphone with left hand up

Candace Owens posts online interviews and political commentary for her millions of followers. (Reuters: Rebecca Cook)

In an announcement video posted to his social media accounts in August, Owens said Australian viewers would hear him “discuss all the things they don’t want us to talk about”, including “freedom of speech” and “why Jesus is really king”.

Tickets for Candace Owens Live range from $95 for general admission to $1,500 for a VIP package that includes a pre-show dinner, champagne reception and meet-and-greet with Owens.

The show includes stops in Sydney, Perth, Melbourne, Adelaide and Brisbane.

Owens has yet to publicly respond to the visa denial and tour promoter Rocksman has been contacted for comment.