What Australians got wrong about the Katie Hopkins Covid-19 controversy

UK media personality Katie Hopkins will be deported from Australia after flouting Covid-19 rules, leaving many to ponder these questions.

Far-right British media personality Katie Hopkins will be kicked out of Australia after she boasted about flouting Covid-19 restrictions while in hotel quarantine.

Many have questioned how and why the controversial commentator was able to make it to Australia in the first place. But, it turns out those who have complained she has taken the spot of Aussies stranded overseas are wrong.

WHO IS KATIE HOPKINS?

Ms Hopkins is a political commentator and former businesswoman from England.

She was a contestant on The Apprentice in 2007 and has since been a presence in the United Kingdom media.

The 46-year-old mother of three was infamously fired from English radio in 2017 after calling for a “final solution” following the Manchester Arena terrorist attacks.

Katie Hopkins is no stranger to controversy. Picture: John Sciulli/Getty Images for Politicon

WHY DID SHE COME TO AUSTRALIA?

Ms Hopkins came to Australia for a role on the Seven Network reality television program Big Brother VIP.

She had been granted a “critical skills” visa to enter Australia.

WHAT DID SHE DO THAT WAS SO CONTROVERSIAL?

Ms Hopkins made some hotel quarantine rants after arriving in NSW.

She likened Covid-19 to the flu, compared migrants to cockroaches and said people with dementia should not be given hospital beds.

“I have always called lockdown the greatest hoax in human history — I have never subscribed to it,” she said in one video.

Katie Hopkins took to Instagram Live to criticise harsh lockdowns as she quarantined in Sydney.

WHO APPROVED HER VISA TO ENTER AUSTRALIA?

Contestants for the show received a travel exemption, supported by the NSW government, which was above the quarantine cap.

NSW Health Minister Brad Hazzard confirmed that in mid last year, Australia was a “very favourable place to come”, especially for Hollywood stars and productions.

“We looked at those issues and we put in place a process where the film companies, who are guaranteeing a massive boost to our economy and jobs, can make applications as long as they do it in a way that is not going to impede on the number of Australians coming back,” he told reporters on Monday.

“They can make arrangements to do that, and they can provide at their cost the safe arrangements.”

Mr Hazzard said public servants at the State Operations Centre received those applications.

“They then make recommendations to the government ... sometimes it comes to me, sometimes it doesn’t, or to someone in my office,” he said.

“If there’s no objection from the State Operations Centre (and) if it can be done in a safe way, then it will generally get approval if it’s got a big positive for our economy and for jobs.”

Mr Hazzard said he had never heard of Ms Hopkins before this incident and was “shocked” to learn about her behaviour.

“To think that she could actually think that the measures we are taking to keep our community safe can be treated with such juvenile, imbecilic behaviour is just mind-boggling,” he said.

“Our teams in our health quarantine, our staff — we have police, we have health staff — to think that she thinks it’s acceptable to put them at risk and to put our broader community at risk is just completely abhorrent, and I hope she’s on the first plane back.”

NSW Health Minister Brad Hazzard said he was shocked to learn about Katie Hopkins’ behaviour. Picture: Channel 5 via Getty Images

WHAT DID THE SEVEN NETWORK HAVE TO SAY ABOUT MS HOPKINS?

The Seven Network and Endemol Shine Australia said Ms Hopkins would not be part of Big Brother VIP.

“Seven and Endemol Shine strongly condemn her irresponsible and reckless comments in hotel quarantine,” a statement read.

NCA NewsWire is seeking further comment from Endemol.

DID MS HOPKINS TAKE THE SPOT OF A STRANDED AUSTRALIAN?

No. According to the Department of Home Affairs, Ms Hopkins did not take the spot of any Australians wanting to return home.

“These travel exemptions were approved based on support by the NSW government as they met the critical skills category for inwards travel,” a spokesperson said.

“These travellers did not take the place of returning Australians, as their travel was above the hotel quarantine caps.”

WHAT HAPPENS NEXT?

Home Affairs Minister Karen Andrews said Ms Hopkins’ visa had been cancelled.

In a statement, Ms Andrews also said it was “despicable” that anyone would behave in a way that puts health officials and the community at risk.

“All visa holders must abide by the health directions issued by our health officials — we won’t tolerate those who don’t.

“There’s no place in Australia for visa holders who would deliberately endanger others.

“Entry to Australia brings responsibilities, and the community rightly expects better.

“Those who don’t live up to the standards can expect to have their visas cancelled and to be removed.”