US singer Chris Brown may be refused entry into Australia because of his history of domestic violence. Photo / AP
US singer Chris Brown may be refused entry into Australia because of his history of domestic violence. Photo / AP
US singer Chris Brown may also be refused entry into Australia because of his history of domestic violence.
Last week the Herald revealed the R&B singer's plan to play a show in New Zealand could by stymied by Immigration New Zealand due to his 2009 attack on then-girlfriend Rihanna.
Brown was convicted and as a result was denied entry into the UK in 2010 on the grounds of being guilty of a serious criminal offence.
Hours after Brown announced his One Hell of a Night would visit New Zealand in December Immigration New Zealand confirmed that Brown's rejection from the UK meant he could not enter New Zealand.
"If Chris Brown has been excluded from another country he will be ineligible to be granted a visa to enter New Zealand unless given a special direction," a spokesman said.
Today the Australian government took the same stance.
Activists there have been campaigning to prevent his entry into the country over the assault on Rihanna.
GetUp! has petitioned Immigration Minister Peter Dutton to have Brown refused a visa, pointing to his "substantial criminal record".
Minister for Women Michaelia Cash said today the government would be "seriously" considering the matter, noting that people with a domestic violence record should understand that Australia had a good character test.
"Without pre-empting the decision of the minister, I can assure you it is something that the minister is looking at," she said.
The former assistant immigration minister revealed she had revoked the visa of a "very, very, very wealthy" boxing star, understood to be Floyd Mayweather Jr, for the very same reason.
"We said, 'No, we are not providing you with a visa, you are not the type of person we want in Australia'.
"I don't believe we are afraid to exercise that discretion."
