Milo Yiannopoulos has officially been banned from Australia after a cancelled tour and a string of controversies
- Right-wing provocateur Milo Yiannopoulos has officially been banned from Australia after the sudden cancellation of his November tour in the country.
- According to the Sydney Morning Herald, the Australian government implemented the ban on the basis of his character.
- Last year, Yiannopoulos's Australian tour was marred by protests, and he was fine fined more than $35,000 by the state of Victoria.
Right-wing provocateur Milo Yiannopoulos has officially been banned from Australia, following the sudden cancellation of his November tour in the country.
According to the Sydney Morning Herald, the Australian government rejected the former Breitbart editor's visa application and barred him from entering the country on the basis of his character.
A letter sent to Yiannopoulos from Australian immigration officials prior to Wednesday's decision reportedly noted that they have a right to prevent someone from entering the country who could potentially "incite discord in the Australian community or in a segment of that community."
Last year, Yiannopoulos's Australian tour sparkied outrage and accompanying violence, particularly in Melbourne, where his show attracted an extra 300 police to deal with the protests. The state of Victoria, where Melbourne is located, fined Yiannopoulos more than $35,000 for the clashes that ensued.
Yiannopoulos was also slammed for encouraging vigilantes to start "gunning journalists down" two days before a Maryland newspaper was targeted in a shooting that killed five people.
On Facebook, Yiannopoulos echoed statements made by far-right Australian politician Pauline Hanson who claimed that Yiannopoulos did not promote violence, but rather was a "victim of violence."
Australia has banned a number of controversial figures including Wikileaks whistleblower Chelsea Manning and Gavin McInnes, the founder of the far-right "Proud Boys" group, on the basis of character.