Australians are divided over calls to ban far-right US commentator Candace Owens from entering the country.
Home Secretary Tony Burke announced he would personally review her visa application ahead of her speaking tour in November.
A ticket to her shows in Sydney, Brisbane, Melbourne, Perth and Adelaide costs $95, but a VIP dinner with Ms Owens can cost up to $1,500.
Having risen to prominence during the Trump presidency, Ms Owens has sparked outrage over her controversial comments.
He claimed Israel was founded by a “cult” and called some of the atrocities of the Holocaust “completely absurd.”
Ms Owens has also attacked minority groups, claiming there is a link between trans people, “clinical insanity” and the rise in mass shootings.
Mr Burke, who has the power to block or refuse a visa, said he would monitor Ms Owens’ application once it was submitted.
“My opposition to anti-Semitism and Islamophobia has always been clear,” he said on Friday.
“I have clear legal powers to revoke a visa for anyone who incites discord.”
Australians have been left divided following calls to ban controversial US political commentator Candace Owens (pictured) from obtaining a visa for her live performance tour in Australia.
Allegra Spender, an independent MP for Wentworth in Sydney’s eastern suburbs, expressed support for banning Owens from entering the country.
“Candace Owens should not be allowed to visit Australia,” he wrote.
‘Ms Owens is a media provocateur who makes her living generating controversy, division and hatred.
“We do not need your input into the public debate in Australia at a time when we must preserve social cohesion.”
Executive Council of Australian Judaism co-chief executive Peter Wertheim said Ms Owens represented “ignorant and malicious commentary on social media”.
He added that Ms Owens’ views should not pass the character test of the Immigration Act and would prevent her from obtaining a visitor visa.
Some social media users were quick to defend Ms Owens.
“Our new Immigration Minister now has the opportunity to demonstrate the leadership needed to affirm that principle,” he said.
Ms Owens (centre) poses for a photo with former US President Donald Trump (left) and her husband George Farmer (right)
Home Secretary Tony Burke, who has ministerial powers to refuse visas, said he would “personally” oversee Ms Owens’ application once it was lodged.
“You can’t stop someone from speaking just because you don’t agree with them,” wrote one.
“Someone might try to do that to you one day.”
“I’m a man of free speech, I may not agree with your opinions but you have the right to hold and express them,” wrote a second.
‘More talk, not less, bad ideas die in the light of conversation.’
Ms Owens called Burke’s comments “crazy” in a segment of her YouTube show that was broadcast live on Saturday.
“I could never imagine someone in government saying, ‘I’m going to personally make sure that this person doesn’t come to my country because I don’t like his speech,'” he told viewers.
‘I’ve never been to Australia… this would be crazy in the United States, because we are so radical about freedom of speech.
“We simply believe in freedom of speech and freedom of debate.”
