The founder of the Christian Democratic party, the Rev Fred Nile, says he is baffled by a decision to deny him entry to the US to watch Donald Trump’s inauguration on security grounds.

Nile, a conservative member of the New South Wales legislative council, said it was at odds with the treatment of the Australian Christian Lobby head, Lyle Shelton, who was “probably more controversial than I am”.

He said Australia’s ambassador to the US, Joe Hockey, had helped organise tickets to last week’s inauguration for Nile and his wife, Silvana Nero. But when he approached the American Airlines counter to depart Australia, he was told he had been denied a visa.

“I don’t know anybody else who’s had their visa declined,” Nile said. “But I know some other people who got invitations and attended. Lyle Shelton, I know he was there and he’s probably more controversial than I am.”

Asked whether he was suspicious about the motives for the decision, Nile said: “No, I’m just very irritated.”

He said Trump had contacted him six weeks before the election, thanking him for his support.

Nile said he had questioned the US consulate general about the decision, but had not been given any explanation.



He said he had not travelled through the Middle East, save for Israel, and had made many trips to the US in the past. “So it’s a mystery to me, as to how I’ve got on to some veto list,” Nile said.

The US has a visa waiver program that is used for most Australian travellers. Others, including Nile, are asked to make applications for a full visa.