In a landmark decision, Australia’s High Court has upheld the government’s refusal to grant a visa to U.S. conservative commentator Candace Owens, citing concerns over her potential to incite discord within the country. The unanimous ruling by three judges on Wednesday dismissed Owens’ legal challenge against Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke’s decision last year to deny her entry on character grounds. Owens, known for her controversial and conspiratorial views, had planned a speaking tour in Australia and New Zealand in November 2023. Burke invoked the Migration Act in October 2023, determining that Owens failed the ‘character test’ due to her history of making extremist and inflammatory remarks targeting Muslim, Black, Jewish, and LGBTQIA+ communities. The court documents revealed Burke’s assessment that her presence could pose a risk to national interests by fostering division. Owens’ legal team argued that the Migration Act infringed upon Australia’s implied freedom of political communication, a claim the judges rejected. The court also ordered Owens to cover the government’s legal costs. While Owens’ spokesperson indicated she would address the decision on social media, her plans to visit New Zealand remain unclear. Notably, New Zealand initially denied her visa in November 2023, citing Australia’s rejection, but later reversed the decision in December, emphasizing the value of free speech. This case underscores Australia’s stringent visa policies, which have also been applied to other high-profile figures, such as rapper Ye (formerly Kanye West), whose visa was revoked earlier this year.