Anti-abortion campaigner loses high court bid to stay in Australia

Anti-abortion campaigner Troy Newman has lost his attempt to have his visa cancellation overturned in the High Court. He was detained by officials at Melbourne Airport since after arriving on Thursday because the federal government had revoked his visa amid concerns his planned speaking tour could incite community harm. Mr Newman, who has suggested doctors who abort babies should be executed, had planned speaking engagements with Right to Life groups in Melbourne, Sydney, Hobart, Brisbane and Cairns.

Since Mr Newman-Mariotti does not hold a visa, he is unable to enter Australia and remains in the presence of (Australian Border Force) officials at the Melbourne Airport pending his removal.

A spokeswoman for Immigration Minister Peter Dutton said.

Right to Life Australia spokeswoman Katrina Haller says Mr Newman was not told about the decision to revoke his visa, with officials only posting a letter to his US address. “He is sitting in a cell with a stainless steel toilet, not able to contact his lawyer. However Mr Newman was informed about a visa issue. He posted a video online of his argument with airline staff when they tell him he cannot board a plane from Denver to Los Angeles due to the cancelled visa.

He half expected to be stopped getting on a flight, so it was only natural that he thought the government had dropped their opposition - it certainly was not a PR exercise.

Right to Life president Margaret Tighe.

Asia-Pacific anti-abortion