Nationwide — Conservative commentator Candace Owens has officially been denied entry into Australia after the country’s High Court ruled on Wednesday that her presence could “incite discord” among communities. The decision comes after months of legal challenges and marks a significant win for Australia’s government, which argued that her rhetoric poses a threat to public cohesion.
According to Politico, Australia’s Constitution does not explicitly guarantee free speech. High Court Justices Stephen Gageler, Michelle Gordon, and Robert Beech-Jones ruled that the implied freedom of political communication “is not a personal right, is not unlimited and is not absolute.” The unanimous decision upheld the government’s authority to use the Migration Act — which governs both temporary and permanent visas — to deny entry to anyone likely to “stir up or encourage dissension or strife on political matters.”
Justice James Edelman issued a separate opinion stating that “Ms. Owens Farmer’s submissions should be emphatically rejected,” referencing Owens by her married name. As part of the ruling, Owens was also ordered to pay the government’s legal costs. Her team has not issued an immediate response.
Owens originally applied for a visa in November 2024 for a planned speaking tour. But Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke blocked her application under the Migration Act’s character provisions, citing previous “extremist and inflammatory comments” directed at Muslim, Black, Jewish, and LGBTQIA+ communities. Owens challenged the decision, arguing it violated the implied right to political communication — a claim the High Court rejected.
Burke defended the government’s decision, pointing to “heightened community tensions” and advice from security agencies. “There is a risk that Ms. Farmer’s controversial views will amplify grievances among communities and lead to increased hostility and violent or radical action,” he said. Following the ruling, Burke praised the court’s decision as “a win for social cohesion,” adding, “Inciting discord might be the way some people make money, but it’s not welcome in Australia.”
This marks the second high-profile American figure to have their visa blocked or revoked by Australia in recent months. In July, rapper Ye — formerly known as Kanye West — was denied entry after his song “Heil Hitler” raised concerns about the promotion of Nazi ideology. The Owens decision underscores the country’s firm stance against individuals whose speech is deemed likely to inflame social divisions.