Today the Australian government banned conspiracy researcher David Icke from entering the country for his multi-city speaking tour. Although he has spoken in Australia several times in the past decade, the government cited Icke’s skeptical views of vaccinations, global warming, and Israel’s policies as the reason for the ban.

“I was shocked and appalled to have received the news earlier today that my visa had been revoked just hours before boarding a flight to Australia by Immigration Minister David Coleman,” Icke said in statement after being informed of the ban.

“I have been a victim of a smear campaign from politicians who have been listening to special interest groups attempting to discredit my beliefs, my views and my character by spreading lies.”

Icke learned about the ban mere hours before his flight. He was scheduled to speak in in Melbourne on March 1st, Adelaide on the 5th, Brisbane on the 8th, Hobart on the 12th, and Sydney on the 14th.

“Does this mean that from this point forward, the Australian Government has given license to ban any media outlet, politician, citizen or public figure from entering this country based on their beliefs,” Icke asked.

“This is the creation of a blatantly Orwellian totalitarian state and says the Government believes they have the right to dictate what the nation can and cannot choose to hear. I am not forcing anybody to listen to my views, nor am I forcing anybody to believe them. I am simply stating my well-researched beliefs and giving the Australian public an open forum to consider another viewpoint.”

Apparently Australians are no longer free to hear opposing points of view.

David Icke explains the full details of his ban in the video below:

David Icke has been one of the foremost leaders of free expression and has greatly influenced us. His 10-hour lectures, in particular, speak to his fortitude and his breadth of knowledge into areas most people would completely shut their minds to. Since the beginning, David has encountered defamation and restrictions on his information in nearly every form possible. But now David Icke details below what amounts to true censorship – any government that would silence the mere act of speaking on its soil. Australia is the latest country to now become a mockery in the eyes of anyone who values liberty. Here is what a petition at Change.org states about the situation:

Hundreds of people have paid good money to hear him speak and attend these events in advance. The Australian government today however has announced that they are cancelling Icke’s visa and not allowing him to enter the country citing the reason as “character” grounds.

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