The Australian government has made good on its threat to block US R&B singer Chris Brown from touring the country later this year, because of his domestic violence history.
The federal government warned on Friday that the Immigration Minister Peter Dutton could deny Brown a visa on character grounds, because he bashed his the girlfriend, musician Rhianna, in 2009.
Fairfax Media has confirmed Brown has been issued with a notice of intent to refuse him a visa, just one day before his tickets go on sale.
Brown can either challenge the notice or withdraw his application to visit Australia, currently scheduled for December.
Australian officials issued the R&B singer with a notice of their intention to refuse his visa application on Friday night, according to reports.
The controversial singer was convicted in 2009 of assaulting and threatening to kill singer Rihanna, his girlfriend at the time. He was sentenced to five years probation.
The Migration Act states that anyone with a "substantial criminal record" involving a prison sentence of 12 months or more - including a suspended sentence - can be refused a visa.
Brown has shows booked in Australia for his One Hell of a Nite tour in December.
On Thursday Minister for Women Michaelia Cash said Immigration Minister Peter Dutton was reviewing whether it would be appropriate to issue Brown a visa.
"I'm clearly not going to pre-empt a decision by the minister however I can assure you what my recommendation would be," said Senator Cash.
"People need to understand, if you are going to commit domestic violence and then you want to travel around the world there are going to be countries that say to you 'You cannot come in because you are not of the character that we expect in Australia'."
"This is a government that's not afraid to say 'no'."
The minister also announced $100 million funding to combat and prevent domestic violence.
In her former role as assistant immigration minister, Senator Cash was involved in denying boxer Floyd Mayweather entry to Australia because of his history of family violence.
Read more: http://www.canberratimes.com.au/federal ... z3mtYCaoIC
I won't miss him
I won't miss him
“If you trust in yourself, and believe in your dreams, and follow your star. . . you'll still get beaten by people who spent their time working hard and learning things and weren't so lazy.”
Re: I won't miss him
They ought to put him in a boxing ring with a kangaroo. Winner gets to stay.
Re: I won't miss him
Unfortunately, given the criteria, Bill Cosby would be perfectly welcome to tour...
