Anti-abortionist is banned from entering Australia

“Mr Newman can appeal for a revocation of this decision and no further comment will be made during this appeal period”.

Anti-choice campaigner Troy Newman has been blocked from entering Australia after online petitions and a last-minute government intervention.

Troy Newman, head of anti-abortion organisation Operation Rescue has been stopped at airport gates in the US on his way to Australia.

Mary Dutton of Right to Life of Australia, who invited Newman and is sponsoring his speaking tour said, “We are all very upset, that this has happened and are working furiously to turn it around”.

The 2009 murder of abortion doctor George Tiller in Kansas was committed by Scott Roeder, who tracked Tiller’s movements with the help of Sullenger.

Turned away… Troy Newman is not allowed to enter Australia.

Operation Rescue has been relegated to the fringes for its ties – including the group’s second-in-command, Cheryl Sullenger, who was convicted in a bomb plot – to violence and threats against abortion providers.

“There is no place for this kind of hate speech in Australia – and I’m pleased the government has listened to our concerns”, she said.

The Operation Rescue internet website said Mr Newman had “booked another permit throughout the different flight which enables you to travel to really Los Angeles tonight” with the hope he are still able to hover to actually Melbourne.

Ms Butler had urged the cancellation of Mr Newman’s visa on fears his visit could incite community harm and put women at medical clinics at risk of harassment.

‘This sends a strong message to those who would seek to cause discord in the community, and disrupt the ability of women to access lawful reproductive medicine, ‘ her message reads.

The move comes after the public was alerted to Newman’s upcoming speaking tour of Australia – and his record of anti-choice extremism – following the ban on rapper Chris Brown earlier this week.

Newman had been scheduled to speak at a “save the babies down under” event promoted by Right to Life Australia before a member of parliament raised character questions about the militant activist, reported The Guardian.

“Please pray for me I’m stuck in Denver airport like a man without a country”, he added. “It is clear that Planned Parenthood Federation of America does not want the truth to hit Austalia”.