Australia has revoked the visa of American rapper Kanye West, also known as Ye, following the release of his controversial song titled “Heil Hitler”, which glorifies Nazi leader Adolf Hitler.
The track was released on May 8, coinciding with the 80th anniversary of Nazi Germany’s defeat in World War II.
Kanye West, 48, who is married to Australian Bianca Censori, has frequently visited the country due to family ties. However, Australian authorities found his recent actions to be unacceptable.
“He’s made a lot of offensive comments. But my officials looked at it again once he released the ‘Heil Hitler’ song and he no longer has a valid visa in Australia,” said Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke on Wednesday.
Burke clarified that the visa previously granted to the musician was not intended for concert performances.
“It was a lower level, and the officials still looked at the law and said, ‘You’re going to have a song and promote that sort of Nazism – we don’t need that in Australia,’” he told the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC).
When asked whether banning such a globally recognized figure was sustainable, Burke responded, “I think what’s not sustainable is to import hatred.”
He emphasized that while Australian citizens have the right to freedom of speech, the same leniency does not extend to visa applicants promoting bigotry. “But we have enough problems in this country already without deliberately importing bigotry,” Burke added.
