Candace Owens’ Entry Denied and Then Approved
Firebrand political commentator Candace Owens is set to bring her hard-right vision down under after a rollercoaster visa drama. Initially, both Australia and New Zealand had slammed the door on her entry, with Australia leading the charge due to character concerns. However, in an unexpected twist, New Zealand reversed its decision, granting Owens the green light to embark on her speaking tour in February 2025.
New Zealand Takes a Stand
The decision to allow Owens into New Zealand came after a personal appeal to the Associate Minister of Immigration, Chris Penk. “The Minister granted Ms. Owens a visa following a request for Ministerial Intervention,” a spokesperson confirmed. Originally, Owens was barred because of her denied Australian entry, a move justified under section 15(1)(f) of their Immigration Act.
Upon hearing the change, Owens couldn’t contain her excitement about engaging with New Zealanders and spearheading open discussions on topics often deemed too controversial. “I applaud the minister for standing up for individuals’ rights to political discourse without fear of being silenced,” Owens expressed enthusiastically.
The Schedule and Controversy
Though Owens has the green light from New Zealand, Australia remains firm in its original decision. Immigration Minister Tony Burke has been vocal about his reasons, citing concerns over Owens’ controversial remarks. “Australia’s national interest is best served when Candace Owens is somewhere else,” Burke stated, reflecting his unease over her divisive comments. Owens shot back, calling the decision a “petty act of vandalism.”
Despite the setback in Australia, Owens’ revised tour will kick off on February 28 in Auckland before moving on to Brisbane, Sydney, Perth, Adelaide, and Melbourne. Owens has not backed down and continues to insist her visa block was politically motivated, tying it to her stance on sensitive issues like the Palestinian conflict.
Support and Criticism
Owens has continued to amass support. Free speech advocates have praised New Zealand’s decision, viewing it as a win for open dialogue. “We applaud Chris Penk for defending speech rights for Owens and all Kiwis,” said Jonathan Ayling, chief executive of the Free Speech Union. He criticized the initial rejection as a dangerous precedent for picking and choosing which voices should be heard.
On the other hand, groups like the Executive Council of Australian Jewry have actively supported the Australian ban. Peter Wertheim, the council’s co-chief executive, argued that Owens fails the Migration Act’s character test, stressing the need to prevent divisive figures from stirring societal discord.
A Digital Powerhouse
Aside from her speaking engagements, Owens wields significant influence online, boasting 5.8 million followers on Twitter and around five million on Instagram. Her split from mainstream US conservative commentator Ben Shapiro and The Daily Wire only bolstered her image as an independent voice in the conservative landscape.
Despite the visa drama, Owens is ready to bring her perspectives to willing ears in New Zealand. Whether she will eventually get a chance to engage with Australian audiences remains to be seen as her appeal process is still underway. Meanwhile, her tour preparations continue to spark dialogue on the balance between free speech and the spread of divisive rhetoric.