Chelsea Manning, the controversial whistleblower who leaked US military secrets to Wikileaks, could have her Australian visa cancelled ahead of an upcoming speaking tour. 

Her planned speeches at the Opera House in Sydney and in Melbourne and Brisbane were organised by Think Inc, which claims it has received a letter from the Australian government warning her visa may be refused. 

“We have just received a Notice of Intention to Consider Refusal under s501 of the Migration Act from the Australian government in regards to Chelsea’s Visa,” Think Inc director Suzi Jamil wrote to supporters.

Ms Manning was due to speak in both Australia and New Zealand, but her previous conviction could threaten her visas. 

Her 35-year sentence was commuted, not pardoned, by former president Barack Obama. Therefore, she still has a standing conviction and will have to request special dispensation to be granted a visa to visit both countries.

Section 501 of the Migration Act gives the minister the power to refuse visas on “character grounds”. The power has previously been used to ban speakers who advocate anti-vaccination theories or violence against women. 

SBS News has contacted the Home Affairs department and Think Inc for comment. 

In an earlier statement to other media, the department said it would not comment on individual cases. 

“A person can fail the character test for a number of reasons, including but not limited to where a non-citizen has a substantial criminal record or where their conduct represents a risk to the Australian community,” the spokesman said.

Labor frontbencher Penny Wong said it was “up to the government to explain why they are doing this”. 

Senator Wong told ABC Radio the possible refusal “seems pretty inconsistent”, following this week’s revelations about how Home Affairs minister Peter Dutton intervened to spare an au pair from deportation. 

Chelsea Manning speaks Nantucket, Massachusetts.

Chelsea Manning, will run for the US Senate despite her conviction for leaking classified material. (AAP)

AAP

The Australian organiser of Manning’s speaking tour, Think Inc, has reportedly called on supporters to lobby new  Immigration Minister, David Coleman. 

“We are looking for support from relevant national bodies or individuals, especially politicians who can support Chelsea’s entry into Australia,” Ms Jamil said. 

“We are seeking letters of support to send to the Minister for Immigration in order for him to reconsider his decision.”

It comes as opposition politicians in New Zealand call for Manning to be banned from entering that country. 

The centre-right National Party on Tuesday called for the government to decline that request, saying Ms Manning was a “felon”.

“Chelsea Manning used a position of responsibility and authority to steal hundreds of thousands of documents that may well have put American lives at risk,” party immigration spokesperson and former minister Michael Woodhouse told Radio New Zealand.

“This is not a question of free speech. (Ms Manning) is free absolutely to say whatever she wants but she’s not free to travel wherever she wants. Other countries have already denied her entry.”

File: New Zealand Immigration Minister Michael Woodhouse, left, smiles as he interacts with refugee students during his visit to the UNHCR Tzu Chi Centre

File: New Zealand Immigration Minister Michael Woodhouse, left, smiles as he interacts with refugee students during his visit to the UNHCR Tzu Chi Centre in 2017

AAP

It was inappropriate for Ms Manning to make money by talking about her crimes, Mr Woodhouse said.

But lobby group the Free Speech Coalition swiftly condemned the calls to bar Ms Manning.

“There are other examples of previously convicted criminals that have been allowed entry into New Zealand. Nelson Mandela was allowed entrance in 1995,” spokesman Chris Trotter said.

“The subject of our allies’ wartime conduct is a matter of great public importance.”

The Green Party has also come to Ms Manning’s defence.

Sunday, Sept. 17, 2017 file photo of Chelsea Manning

File image of Chelsea Manning.

AAP

New Zealand’s immigration department says it’s received an application, which will now be looked at by senior officials in the first instance, with a right to appeal to the minister in charge.

Associate Immigration Minister Kris Faafoi’s office said he would not comment on individual cases.

– with AAP