Just one day after her visa was rejected, a far-right activist has had her Australian visa approved ahead of a controversial speaking tour.
Canadian right-wing activist Lauren Southern was originally informed by the Australian Visa Bureau that her application for a temporary Electronic Travel Authority had been refused on the grounds of eligibility.
Miss Southern and her speaking tour partner Stefan Molyneux had applied for a 408 Temporary Activity visa ‘months ago’ according to event organisers.
Just one day after her visa was rejected far right activist Lauren Southern’s (pictured) visa has been approved ahead of a July speaking tour
However after an ‘unusually long application process’, Miss Southern attempted to apply for the Electronic Travel Authority instead, news.com.au reported.
The electronic Travel Authority was denied on Monday, however the 408 was finally approved on Tuesday.
Axiomatic Media, who are running the month long speaking tour, released a statement informing the public that Miss Southern’s application had finally been approved.
Miss Southern originally had one of her visa applications denied on ground of eligibility
After the initial rejection of her visa application Miss Southern had begun the process of rescheduling flights and hotel bookings with the hopes of still finding an eligible path into the country.
Axiomatic Media founder Luke Izaak said both Miss Southern and her speaking partner Stefan Molyneux were advised by lawyers to apply for the Electronic Travel Authority visa due in large part to the dates of the tour and the prolonged wait on processing.
‘Although many armchair experts on social media have expressed their opinion that Lauren and Stefan somehow did the wrong thing by following expert legal advice, it remains true that most reasonable people in the same situation would follow legal advice,’ he said.
Miss Southern is an outspoken activist and describes herself as a journalist, author, political activist, and documentary filmmaker
After the initial rejection of her visa application Miss Southern had begun the process of rescheduling flights and hotel bookings with the hopes of still finding an eligible path into the country
After the initial rejection Miss Southern spoke with The Daily Telegraph and said she felt it was a slight on freedom of speech for their visa’s to be denied.
‘I am not surprised they are dragging out the process because there are so many people who get offended by free speech and free debate that sometimes governments cower and think it is easy to play into the hands of people who are totalitarian,’ she said.
Miss Southern has caused controversy in the past for her outspoken views including her stance on Islam.
‘I have criticised radical Islam, I have criticised the increasing blasphemy laws that are being brought into our societies, you won’t see Christians violently attacking people for criticising their religion like you do with Islam, things like the Charlie Hebdo attack’she said.
A statement released by the Department of Home Affairs stated all visa applications were weighted fairly.
Miss Southern will be conducting a speaking tour with Canadian podcaster and public speaker Stefan Molyneux (pictured)
‘All non-citizens seeking to enter Australia must meet the character requirements set out in the Migration Act 1958 and can be refused a visa if they fail to do so,’ the statement read.
‘For visitors who may hold controversial views, any risk they may pose will be balanced against Australia’s well-established freedom of speech and freedom of beliefs, among other relevant considerations.’
Miss Southern and Mr Molyneux are scheduled to speak in Melbourne on July 20, Perth on July 22, Adelaide on July 24, Sydney on July 28, Brisbane on July 29 and Auckland on August 3.