If you’re going to have a song and promote that sort of Nazism, we don’t need that in Australia.
Australia’s Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke announced on Wednesday that the government has cancelled the visa of U.S. rapper Ye (formerly Kanye West) following the release of his controversial song “Heil Hitler.” The track, dropped on May 8 to coincide with the 80th anniversary of Nazi Germany’s defeat in World War II, drew widespread condemnation for glorifying Adolf Hitler.
Burke revealed Ye had been a frequent visitor to Australia due to his wife Bianca Censori’s ties to the country. “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,” he said.
The musician had obtained a lower‑level tourist visa–not for concerts–yet officials ruled the song promoted Nazism. “If you’re going to have a song and promote that sort of Nazism — we don’t need that in Australia,” Burke stated. He added, “We have enough problems in this country already without deliberately importing bigotry.”
Ye’s team have yet to comment.