2nd October, 2015
The Australian Christian Lobby is urging Immigration Minister Peter Dutton to allow US anti-abortion campaigner Troy Newman to speak in Australia.
Mr Newman, who was detained on Thursday after flying into Australia without a valid visa after it was cancelled by the Immigration Department, reportedly lost his bid to stay in Australia this afternoon.
The ABC reported that High Court Justice Geoffrey Nettle, sitting in Melbourne, ruled on Friday afternoon that the Department was justified in revoking Mr Newman’s visa over fears the visit would pose a risk to the community and that while Mr Newman may have had a case to challenge the visa refusal, he should not have boarded a plane to Australia knowing his visa had been cancelled.
Mr Newman, the head of anti-abortion organisation Operation Rescue, was due to speak at a series of events organised by Right To Life Australia over the next two weeks.
Australian Christian Lobby managing director Lyle Shelton said that while the High Court’s decision was "understandable" given Mr Newman flew to Australia without a valid visa, Mr Newman should now return to the US and appeal the Immigration Department’s decision to refuse him a visa so he can return at a later time.
The ACL emailed an online petition containing more than 7,000 signatures to Minister Dutton’s office this morning which called for Mr Newman to be allowed to speak in Australia.
– DAVID ADAMS
