American anti-abortion activist Troy Newman detained at Melbourne Airport

Controversial anti-abortion activist Troy Newman has been detained at Melbourne Airport after he travelled to Australia despite his visa being cancelled.

Mr Newman, who has questioned why doctors who perform abortions were not sentenced to death, had previously been stopped in Denver in the US en route to Australia.

A spokeswoman for the Minister for Immigration Peter Dutton confirmed to Daily Mail Australia Mr Newman had been detained on Thursday morning.

'Despite having no visa to enter Australia Mr Newman-Mariotti boarded a flight and arrived in Melbourne,' she said.

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

The spokeswoman added the airline faces a fine for 'carriage of a person who does not have a valid visa'.

It is understood by the ABC that Mr Newman flew into Australia on a United Airlines flight.

The spokeswoman said an injunction had been lodged with the Federal Court to overturn the government's decision to deny the activist entry into the country. That matter is to be decided on Thursday.

A spokesperson from United Airlines confirmed a passenger 'without a valid Australia visa' boarded a flight form Los Angeles to Melbourne on Tuesday.

'The airline is working closely with the Australian and U.S. authorities. As this is an ongoing Australian Government issue, we are unable to comment further on the status of this passenger.'

The president of anti-abortion group Operation Rescue was scheduled to tour around Australia with Right to Life Australia from October 1 until October 10.

His detention at Melbourne Airport comes a day after he was pulled off an Australian-bound flight in Denver.

US anti-abortion campaigner Troy Newman granted temporary reprieve

EXCERPT:

A prominent US anti-abortion campaigner has been granted a temporary reprieve, after Immigration Minister Peter Dutton agreed not to remove him from Australia in the next 24 hours.

Troy Newman was detained at Melbourne Airport on Thursday after flying to Australia despite Mr Dutton this week revoking his visa amid concerns the speaker would incite community harm.

Upon disembarking his 6.40am United Airlines flight, immigration officials told Mr Newman his visa had been cancelled and detained him.

United Airlines, which flew Mr Newman to Australia, faces a potential fine for carrying him.

Counsel for the Commonwealth gave the undertaking not to immediately remove Mr Newman at a hearing in Melbourne before High Court justice Geoffrey Nettle on Thursday evening, at which counsel for Mr Newman sought to have the decision to bar him from Australia overturned.

High Court Justice Geoffrey Nettle has adjourned the matter until Friday afternoon to give Mr Dutton time to consider the case overnight. Mr Newman, who wants doctors who perform abortions to be executed, was scheduled to speak at a national Right to Life tour from Friday.

Counsel for Mr Newman told the hearing that the federal government's decision to prevent the speaker from coming to Australia was flawed because Mr Newman has never incited violence.

While Mr Newman has been arrested for taking part in anti-abortion protests in the US, he has never been charged or advocated violence, the court heard.

"The basis of the (visa) finding seems to rest solely on the adverse reaction to my client's presence in Australia," barrister Richard Knowles said.

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I’ll answer my own question

If you are from a country other than Australia or New Zealand: you will need a visa and a valid passport or other acceptable travel document to enter Australia.

http://www.border.gov.au/Lega/Lega/Form/Immi-FAQs/do-i-need-a-visa-to-visit-australia

“All travellers, except New Zealand citizens, must obtain a visa or travel authority before travelling to Australia.”
http://usa.embassy.gov.au/whwh/visiting_australia.html

Surprises me a bit, as well. Thought there would be a visa waiver program between the US and Australia.

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