In a late-night decision, Immigration Minister Tony Burke exercised section 133C powers to cancel the Electronic Travel Authority of Sammy Yahood, a British-Israeli social-media figure who was due to land in Melbourne today. The cancellation letter, delivered while Yahood was transiting Abu Dhabi, cited his public calls to “ban Islam” and described the statements as ‘vilifying material’ likely to incite discord in Australia’s multicultural community.
Legal grounds: Under the Migration Act, visas can be cancelled on character grounds if a holder’s presence poses a risk to public order or the “good order of the Australian community.” Burke said the government “will not allow Australia to be used as a platform for hate speech.” Yahood, who planned synagogue talks and self-defence workshops, accused Canberra of “tyranny and censorship” on Instagram.
Business-mobility impact: The case is the first high-profile use of new hate-speech amendments (effective November 2025) that broaden visa-cancellation triggers to include non-citizens who “advocate religious vilification abroad.” Corporations bringing keynote speakers or trainers must now vet social-media histories more thoroughly; event organisers may face sponsorship scrutiny if guests have controversial online footprints.
![Home Affairs Cancels Visa of British-Israeli Influencer Over Anti-Islam Statements]()
For organisations uncertain about how these stricter standards may affect planned travel, VisaHQ offers pre-screening and visa-application support, leveraging real-time regulatory updates to minimise cancellation risks. Its Australia-specific portal (https://www.visahq.com/australia/) provides easy checklists, document upload tools, and personalised assistance for both corporate mobility teams and individual travellers.
Community reaction: The Australian Jewish Association said the move fits a pattern after earlier visa rejections for Israeli politician Ayelet Shaked and MK Simcha Rothman. Muslim peak bodies welcomed the decision as protecting social cohesion. Immigration lawyers predict an uptick in appeals to the Administrative Appeals Tribunal as the new test of ‘reasonably foreseeable vilification’ beds in.
Practical advice: Mobility teams should revisit invitation and due-diligence checklists, ensuring declarations cover hate-speech and extremist content. Visa applications for speakers with substantial online presence should be lodged early to allow for potential character assessments.
Legal grounds: Under the Migration Act, visas can be cancelled on character grounds if a holder’s presence poses a risk to public order or the “good order of the Australian community.” Burke said the government “will not allow Australia to be used as a platform for hate speech.” Yahood, who planned synagogue talks and self-defence workshops, accused Canberra of “tyranny and censorship” on Instagram.
Business-mobility impact: The case is the first high-profile use of new hate-speech amendments (effective November 2025) that broaden visa-cancellation triggers to include non-citizens who “advocate religious vilification abroad.” Corporations bringing keynote speakers or trainers must now vet social-media histories more thoroughly; event organisers may face sponsorship scrutiny if guests have controversial online footprints.
For organisations uncertain about how these stricter standards may affect planned travel, VisaHQ offers pre-screening and visa-application support, leveraging real-time regulatory updates to minimise cancellation risks. Its Australia-specific portal (https://www.visahq.com/australia/) provides easy checklists, document upload tools, and personalised assistance for both corporate mobility teams and individual travellers.
Community reaction: The Australian Jewish Association said the move fits a pattern after earlier visa rejections for Israeli politician Ayelet Shaked and MK Simcha Rothman. Muslim peak bodies welcomed the decision as protecting social cohesion. Immigration lawyers predict an uptick in appeals to the Administrative Appeals Tribunal as the new test of ‘reasonably foreseeable vilification’ beds in.
Practical advice: Mobility teams should revisit invitation and due-diligence checklists, ensuring declarations cover hate-speech and extremist content. Visa applications for speakers with substantial online presence should be lodged early to allow for potential character assessments.
