Australia has reportedly followed New Zealand in banning a controversial American rapper from entering the country.
Odd Future leader Tyler, the Creator was banned from performing in New Zealand at a 2014 festival headlined by Eminem because of "a threat or risk to public order or the public interest".
Australia appears to have followed suit, with the rapper - who is due to perform several tour dates there in September - tweeting he was "now banned from Australia".
Coralie Alison, referenced in Tyler's tweet, is the Director of Operations at Collective Shout, a feminist group that has had run-ins with the rapper since 2013 when it asked for his visa to be revoked because his lyrics incite hatred against women.
Advertisement
Advertise with NZME.In 2013 another member of Collective Shout, Talitha Stone, received a torrent of abuse from Tyler and his fans when she protested against the rapper at a signing event.
When Tyler announced he'd tour Australia in September Collective Shout wrote to the Minister for Immigration and Border Protection, Peter Dutton, asking that Tyler's visa be rejected.
AAP has contacted Collective Shout and the Minister for Immigration but has yet to hear back.
Tyler tweeted that he was listening to Smuckers in protest, a song that references his New Zealand ban.
On Smuckers, he raps: "I got banned from New Zealand / Whitey called me demon / And a terrorist / God dammit I couldn't believe it / Ban a kid from the country / I never fall, never timber ..."
Last year, the band's manager Christian Clancy expressed his dissatisfaction at the NZ immigration decision, saying it happened an hour before their flights were due to depart.
"Sorry New Zealand apparently this group of kids that have inspired the shit out of me for the last few years are a threat to society,'' Clancy said.
Immigration NZ confirmed in a statement that it refused to allow members of Odd Future to travel to New Zealand.
Advertisement
Advertise with NZME."The Immigration Act 2009 provides that entry permission may not be granted where there is reason to believe there is, or is likely to be, a threat or risk to public order or the public interest.
"Odd Future has been deemed to be a potential threat to public order and the public interest for several reasons, including incidents at past performances in which they have incited violence. In one instance, a police officer was hospitalised following a riot incited by Odd Future,'' the statement read.
The incident Immigration NZ appears to be referring to was at a Boston comic shop autograph signing session in 2011.
It was described in local news reports at the time as a '"near-riot'" with the injured officer treated and released from hospital for minor injuries after slipping and hurting his back.
- AAP with nzherald.co.nz
