The company that promoted right-wing commentator Candace Owens' cancelled speaking tour of Australia has been placed into liquidation, leaving ticket buyers out of pocket more than a year after her visa was blocked.
Tour Collapse and Financial Fallout
Promoter Rocksman has declared insolvency following the high-profile cancellation of Owens' planned 2024 tour. The tour was scrapped after Australia's Immigration Minister, Tony Burke, denied Owens a visa weeks before the events, citing concerns she could incite discord within Australian communities.
Despite repeated promises, refunds for tickets—which started at $95—have not been processed. Documents reveal the company owed $68,395.54 to the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) and listed no significant assets beyond a bank account. The appointed liquidator, David Sampson of BPS Resolved, has indicated it is unlikely any funds will be available for creditors, which include disappointed ticket holders.
Legal Challenges and Ministerial Defence
Owens challenged the visa decision, but in October 2024, Australia's High Court unanimously upheld the government's ruling. This final legal blow ended any hope of the tour being resurrected.
Minister Burke this week defended his decision, stating Owens could have delayed ticket sales or arranged immediate refunds. "As soon as the decision was made I said I hoped she had a good refund policy," Burke said. "Candace Owens has even treated her own supporters with contempt. They are the latest addition to a long list of people her business model manages to offend."
A spokesperson for the defunct promoter stated the cancellation severely impacted its touring division, which faced substantial upfront costs. "The cancellation, combined with existing tax obligations, created a real risk that the company could enter an insolvent trading period," they explained. The spokesperson claimed refund responsibility had shifted to a separate entity, though this offers little solace to those awaiting repayment.
Consumer Complaints and Promoter's History
Consumer agencies in New South Wales, Queensland, and New Zealand have all fielded complaints from ticket holders. NSW Fair Trading has advised affected individuals to contact the liquidator and register as creditors.
Rocksman was founded in 2022 as a marketing agency by Sydney-based director George Zacharia. It moved into touring in early 2024 with help from experienced promoter Damien Costas, though Costas was not involved in the Owens event. The pair had previously collaborated on other tours, including one for right-wing UK politician Nigel Farage in 2022.
Costas, a former publisher of Penthouse Australia, has a history of organising controversial tours. A previous Penthouse-backed tour fell apart after visas were denied to figures including Milo Yiannopoulos, Tommy Robinson, and Gavin McInnes.
Both Zacharia and Costas declined to comment. Owens' representatives have previously distanced themselves from the refund issue, stating that responsibility typically lies with the promoter.
