Kanye West: Ye barred from Australia over anti-Semitism after song release
The American rapper, who has now legally changed his name to Ye and is married to Australian designer Bianca Censori, had a tourist visa used to visit family here, but officials cancelled it after he released a song called Heil Hitler in May.
'He's been coming to Australia for a long time… and he's made a lot of offensive comments,' Mr Burke said.
'But my officials looked at it again once he released the Heil Hitler song, and he no longer has a valid visa in Australia.'
West's song, initially released on social media platform X, was banned from YouTube and Spotify.
Mr Burke said Australia's immigration law 'draws a stricter line' depending on the purpose of the visa.
He said the West case was the only occasion he could think of where someone's visa had been cancelled over anti-Semitism when the visa class wasn't for public advocacy, such as a lecture tour.
'We have a problem in Australia with anti-Semitism. We have a problem in Australia with Islamophobia. We have a problem with a range of forms of bigotry,' he said.
'I think that what's not sustainable is to import hatred. Some people say, 'Oh, don't you believe in freedom of speech' and for Australian citizens, yeah, you've got full freedom of speech – but we have enough problems in this country already without deliberately importing bigotry.'
The Government contemplated barring the rapper in 2023 over anti-Semitic comments.
Cabinet minister Jason Clare said at the time that people who had made similar comments had had visas denied and he expected West would face the same scrutiny.
Then-opposition leader Peter Dutton said at the time his 'inclination would be not to allow him in'.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Advertiser
19 minutes ago
- The Advertiser
Duo axed from international exhibition receive apology
An artistic duo who were axed and then reinstated as Australia's picks for one of the world's most prestigious exhibitions have received an apology. The head of the nation's arts body, Wesley Enoch, said artist Khaled Sabsabi's artwork had been mischaracterised and he apologised to him and curator Michael Dagostino. The apology from Creative Australia's acting chair came after it was revealed on Wednesday that the pair will once again represent Australia at the 2026 Venice Biennale, after being dropped in February. "I want to apologise to them for the hurt and pain they've gone through in this process," Mr Enoch told ABC radio, while noting that he had already offered an in-person apology. "Although we will be stronger as a sector because of it, I know it's come at a personal cost - not just to them but also to a whole range of people in the arts sector. "We, as Creative Australia, need to help the whole sector learn some of these lessons going forward." The body initially revoked the pair's invitation after a federal politician raised concerns over Sabsabi's early works, one of which showed Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah and another that depicted the 9/11 attacks. Creative Australia had claimed Sabsabi and Dagostino's selection would cause a prolonged and divisive debate and that it would pose an unacceptable risk to public support for the Australian artistic community, leading to the decision that would be later decried by more than 4000 people. Enoch on Thursday noted Sabsabi's work had been mischaracterised and said he was an "incredibly peace-loving artist", as shown by the way he constructs his images. "This work is not about terrorism," he said. "It is not about the glorification of terrorism. "Those who choose to mischaracterise the work aren't being honest to the intention of the work or the practice that this artist has." But shadow attorney-general Julian Leeser remained unhappy with Creative Australia's reversal, arguing that the issues raised in February remained. "I think this is the wrong person to be sending to this prestigious art festival, as a representative of our country, and to give them taxpayer funds," he told ABC radio. "Particularly given the tensions in Australia and the declining level of social cohesion." The arts funding and advisory body backpedalled on its earlier decision to axe the pair after an independent review found various missteps, assumptions and missed opportunities in the decision-making process. Enoch said Creative Australia believed reinstatement was the best option and would take into account the report's recommendations. "The rigour in which we undertook this was not easy," he said. "It takes a very big heart to go, 'we will engage in the process with integrity and thoughtfulness and move forward', and that's what we've done." The creative duo said the latest decision had renewed their confidence in Creative Australia and "allows us to move forward with optimism and hope after a period of significant personal and collective hardship". An artistic duo who were axed and then reinstated as Australia's picks for one of the world's most prestigious exhibitions have received an apology. The head of the nation's arts body, Wesley Enoch, said artist Khaled Sabsabi's artwork had been mischaracterised and he apologised to him and curator Michael Dagostino. The apology from Creative Australia's acting chair came after it was revealed on Wednesday that the pair will once again represent Australia at the 2026 Venice Biennale, after being dropped in February. "I want to apologise to them for the hurt and pain they've gone through in this process," Mr Enoch told ABC radio, while noting that he had already offered an in-person apology. "Although we will be stronger as a sector because of it, I know it's come at a personal cost - not just to them but also to a whole range of people in the arts sector. "We, as Creative Australia, need to help the whole sector learn some of these lessons going forward." The body initially revoked the pair's invitation after a federal politician raised concerns over Sabsabi's early works, one of which showed Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah and another that depicted the 9/11 attacks. Creative Australia had claimed Sabsabi and Dagostino's selection would cause a prolonged and divisive debate and that it would pose an unacceptable risk to public support for the Australian artistic community, leading to the decision that would be later decried by more than 4000 people. Enoch on Thursday noted Sabsabi's work had been mischaracterised and said he was an "incredibly peace-loving artist", as shown by the way he constructs his images. "This work is not about terrorism," he said. "It is not about the glorification of terrorism. "Those who choose to mischaracterise the work aren't being honest to the intention of the work or the practice that this artist has." But shadow attorney-general Julian Leeser remained unhappy with Creative Australia's reversal, arguing that the issues raised in February remained. "I think this is the wrong person to be sending to this prestigious art festival, as a representative of our country, and to give them taxpayer funds," he told ABC radio. "Particularly given the tensions in Australia and the declining level of social cohesion." The arts funding and advisory body backpedalled on its earlier decision to axe the pair after an independent review found various missteps, assumptions and missed opportunities in the decision-making process. Enoch said Creative Australia believed reinstatement was the best option and would take into account the report's recommendations. "The rigour in which we undertook this was not easy," he said. "It takes a very big heart to go, 'we will engage in the process with integrity and thoughtfulness and move forward', and that's what we've done." The creative duo said the latest decision had renewed their confidence in Creative Australia and "allows us to move forward with optimism and hope after a period of significant personal and collective hardship". An artistic duo who were axed and then reinstated as Australia's picks for one of the world's most prestigious exhibitions have received an apology. The head of the nation's arts body, Wesley Enoch, said artist Khaled Sabsabi's artwork had been mischaracterised and he apologised to him and curator Michael Dagostino. The apology from Creative Australia's acting chair came after it was revealed on Wednesday that the pair will once again represent Australia at the 2026 Venice Biennale, after being dropped in February. "I want to apologise to them for the hurt and pain they've gone through in this process," Mr Enoch told ABC radio, while noting that he had already offered an in-person apology. "Although we will be stronger as a sector because of it, I know it's come at a personal cost - not just to them but also to a whole range of people in the arts sector. "We, as Creative Australia, need to help the whole sector learn some of these lessons going forward." The body initially revoked the pair's invitation after a federal politician raised concerns over Sabsabi's early works, one of which showed Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah and another that depicted the 9/11 attacks. Creative Australia had claimed Sabsabi and Dagostino's selection would cause a prolonged and divisive debate and that it would pose an unacceptable risk to public support for the Australian artistic community, leading to the decision that would be later decried by more than 4000 people. Enoch on Thursday noted Sabsabi's work had been mischaracterised and said he was an "incredibly peace-loving artist", as shown by the way he constructs his images. "This work is not about terrorism," he said. "It is not about the glorification of terrorism. "Those who choose to mischaracterise the work aren't being honest to the intention of the work or the practice that this artist has." But shadow attorney-general Julian Leeser remained unhappy with Creative Australia's reversal, arguing that the issues raised in February remained. "I think this is the wrong person to be sending to this prestigious art festival, as a representative of our country, and to give them taxpayer funds," he told ABC radio. "Particularly given the tensions in Australia and the declining level of social cohesion." The arts funding and advisory body backpedalled on its earlier decision to axe the pair after an independent review found various missteps, assumptions and missed opportunities in the decision-making process. Enoch said Creative Australia believed reinstatement was the best option and would take into account the report's recommendations. "The rigour in which we undertook this was not easy," he said. "It takes a very big heart to go, 'we will engage in the process with integrity and thoughtfulness and move forward', and that's what we've done." The creative duo said the latest decision had renewed their confidence in Creative Australia and "allows us to move forward with optimism and hope after a period of significant personal and collective hardship". An artistic duo who were axed and then reinstated as Australia's picks for one of the world's most prestigious exhibitions have received an apology. The head of the nation's arts body, Wesley Enoch, said artist Khaled Sabsabi's artwork had been mischaracterised and he apologised to him and curator Michael Dagostino. The apology from Creative Australia's acting chair came after it was revealed on Wednesday that the pair will once again represent Australia at the 2026 Venice Biennale, after being dropped in February. "I want to apologise to them for the hurt and pain they've gone through in this process," Mr Enoch told ABC radio, while noting that he had already offered an in-person apology. "Although we will be stronger as a sector because of it, I know it's come at a personal cost - not just to them but also to a whole range of people in the arts sector. "We, as Creative Australia, need to help the whole sector learn some of these lessons going forward." The body initially revoked the pair's invitation after a federal politician raised concerns over Sabsabi's early works, one of which showed Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah and another that depicted the 9/11 attacks. Creative Australia had claimed Sabsabi and Dagostino's selection would cause a prolonged and divisive debate and that it would pose an unacceptable risk to public support for the Australian artistic community, leading to the decision that would be later decried by more than 4000 people. Enoch on Thursday noted Sabsabi's work had been mischaracterised and said he was an "incredibly peace-loving artist", as shown by the way he constructs his images. "This work is not about terrorism," he said. "It is not about the glorification of terrorism. "Those who choose to mischaracterise the work aren't being honest to the intention of the work or the practice that this artist has." But shadow attorney-general Julian Leeser remained unhappy with Creative Australia's reversal, arguing that the issues raised in February remained. "I think this is the wrong person to be sending to this prestigious art festival, as a representative of our country, and to give them taxpayer funds," he told ABC radio. "Particularly given the tensions in Australia and the declining level of social cohesion." The arts funding and advisory body backpedalled on its earlier decision to axe the pair after an independent review found various missteps, assumptions and missed opportunities in the decision-making process. Enoch said Creative Australia believed reinstatement was the best option and would take into account the report's recommendations. "The rigour in which we undertook this was not easy," he said. "It takes a very big heart to go, 'we will engage in the process with integrity and thoughtfulness and move forward', and that's what we've done." The creative duo said the latest decision had renewed their confidence in Creative Australia and "allows us to move forward with optimism and hope after a period of significant personal and collective hardship".
Sky News AU
20 minutes ago
- Sky News AU
How Sean ‘Diddy' Combs dodged sex trafficking, racketeering charges after feds built ‘weak' case - that likely cost $15 million: experts
Prosecutors in the nation's most prestigious US attorney's office overshot Sean 'Diddy' Combs' case by relying on 'sensationalism' rather than solid legal arguments — leading to his stunning acquittal Wednesday on the most serious charges, legal experts told The Post. Jurors found Combs, 55, not guilty of sex trafficking and racketeering charges, while convicting him on lesser prostitution counts — ultimately making his closely watched case one of the most expensive prostitution trials in American history. 'Diddy likely spent eight figures or more than $10 million ($15 million AUD) on defense fees in this trial,' former federal prosecutor Neama Rahmani said, adding that his 'top-tier' attorneys Mark Agnifilo and Brian Steel typically charge retainers of $1 million or more in cases like Diddy's. 'The irony of it all is that if Diddy wasn't so cheap and he had paid the additional $10 million to Cassie to settle her case before she filed her lawsuit, we probably wouldn't be here.' The case was doomed from the start, according to veteran defense attorney David S. Seltzer, managing partner at Seltzer Mayberg, LLC. 'They tried to put a square peg in a round hole, using mobster-like charges, when all they had were glorified State Court charges,' he said, referring to the racketeering counts. He said the feds proved that Combs abused women and enjoyed voyeuristic sex, but failed to prove that the mogul's sins and kinks were part of a Mafia-like criminal enterprise. The mixed verdict is a blow to the powerful Southern District of New York – a formidable institution that earned the nickname the 'Sovereign District' because of its reputation for independence and success in winning complex convictions. The storied US Attorney's office successfully prosecuted shaggy crypto fraudster Sam Bankman-Fried, gold bar bribe bearer former Sen. Robert Menendez and a host of New York mafia figures in the 1980s. But SDNY recently saw its corruption case against Mayor Eric Adams collapse as President Trump's Department of Justice told prosecutors to dismiss charges – a request that prompted an exodus from the office. Southern District prosecutors, then led by former US Attorney Damien Williams, pursued an ambitious Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act — or RICO — case against the Bad Boy Records mogul, alleging he used his business empire to conceal sordid crimes, including forcing his girlfriends into degrading, drug-fueled sex romps he dubbed 'freak-offs.' The case's outcome hinged on whether prosecutors could prove Combs ran a criminal enterprise, said Rahmani, a defense attorney. 'Like I've said all along, this case will come down to racketeering,' Rahmani predicted ahead of the verdict. 'If the government doesn't get a RICO conviction, this will be a huge loss and the most expensive prostitution trial in American history.' And it's a huge loss financially for taxpayers, as well. 'The federal investigation into Diddy involving countless raids, surveillance, and cooperation across agencies like Homeland Security and the FBI, likely resulted in taxpayers' seven- or eight-figure dollar bill, taking in staff wages, travel, legal fees, and administrative costs,' said New York trial attorney Nicole Brenecki. 'Despite this questionable investment, no guilty verdict has been secured raising serious concerns about prosecutorial discretion and the use of taxpayers' funds. This case simply appears to be a costly misfire. Potentially $10 million.' During the sensational two-month trial, Combs' former girlfriends Cassie Ventura and a woman only identified as 'Jane' emotionally testified they were coerced into disturbing, baby oil-soaked 'freak-offs' with escorts. The women's testimony was often harrowing, such as when Ventura – who was pregnant on the witness stand – alternately detailed Combs' abuse and the humiliating sex acts he desired she carry out for his sick pleasure. 'Jane' also recounted how Combs choked, kicked and punched her during an hours-long abusive at her Los Angeles home in 2024 — before forcing her into a 'freak-off' that same night. But Brenecki said the evidence still indicated that Combs' ex-girlfriends appear to have 'willingly taken part in 'freak-offs.'' 'Voluntary participation, no matter how controversial, doesn't equal organized crime,' Brenecki said. The prosecution's case fell apart because it was 'built more on sensationalism than a solid legal basis,' Brenecki opined. Originally published as How Sean 'Diddy' Combs dodged sex trafficking, racketeering charges after feds built 'weak' case - that likely cost $15 million: experts
Perth Now
34 minutes ago
- Perth Now
Duo axed from international exhibition receive apology
An artistic duo who were axed and then reinstated as Australia's picks for one of the world's most prestigious exhibitions have received an apology. The head of the nation's arts body, Wesley Enoch, said artist Khaled Sabsabi's artwork had been mischaracterised and he apologised to him and curator Michael Dagostino. The apology from Creative Australia's acting chair came after it was revealed on Wednesday that the pair will once again represent Australia at the 2026 Venice Biennale, after being dropped in February. "I want to apologise to them for the hurt and pain they've gone through in this process," Mr Enoch told ABC radio, while noting that he had already offered an in-person apology. "Although we will be stronger as a sector because of it, I know it's come at a personal cost - not just to them but also to a whole range of people in the arts sector. "We, as Creative Australia, need to help the whole sector learn some of these lessons going forward." The body initially revoked the pair's invitation after a federal politician raised concerns over Sabsabi's early works, one of which showed Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah and another that depicted the 9/11 attacks. Creative Australia had claimed Sabsabi and Dagostino's selection would cause a prolonged and divisive debate and that it would pose an unacceptable risk to public support for the Australian artistic community, leading to the decision that would be later decried by more than 4000 people. Enoch on Thursday noted Sabsabi's work had been mischaracterised and said he was an "incredibly peace-loving artist", as shown by the way he constructs his images. "This work is not about terrorism," he said. "It is not about the glorification of terrorism. "Those who choose to mischaracterise the work aren't being honest to the intention of the work or the practice that this artist has." But shadow attorney-general Julian Leeser remained unhappy with Creative Australia's reversal, arguing that the issues raised in February remained. "I think this is the wrong person to be sending to this prestigious art festival, as a representative of our country, and to give them taxpayer funds," he told ABC radio. "Particularly given the tensions in Australia and the declining level of social cohesion." The arts funding and advisory body backpedalled on its earlier decision to axe the pair after an independent review found various missteps, assumptions and missed opportunities in the decision-making process. Enoch said Creative Australia believed reinstatement was the best option and would take into account the report's recommendations. "The rigour in which we undertook this was not easy," he said. "It takes a very big heart to go, 'we will engage in the process with integrity and thoughtfulness and move forward', and that's what we've done." The creative duo said the latest decision had renewed their confidence in Creative Australia and "allows us to move forward with optimism and hope after a period of significant personal and collective hardship".
