Judith Collins: Chris Brown 'just another wife-beater'

Chris Brown had planned to tour Australia and New Zealand. Photo / Getty Images

The former justice minister says singer Chris Brown is "just another wife-beater" and should not be allowed in to New Zealand because of his fame.

"The law is clear, he is technically barred from New Zealand...that is the law. Why do we bother having a law like that if we make exceptions for people just because they are rich and famous," Judith Collins said.

"He can be rich, famous and sing back in his own country, as far as I am concerned. He is just another wife-beater, and there are so many wife-beaters who are rich or famous or in positions of power. There is no need for us to encourage it."

Brown has been banned from performing in Australia following his assault conviction for beating up ex-girlfriend Rihanna in 2009.

The 26-year-old, who is due to arrive for a series of concerts in December, has been issued with a formal notice from Australian officials stating they intend to refuse his visa on character grounds.

The rejection from Australia makes it even more unlikely Brown will be able to perform in New Zealand as planned.

Earlier this month Brown announced a one-off show in Auckland in December as part of his world tour.

Hours later the Herald revealed the R&B singer's visit could by stymied by Immigration New Zealand due to his criminal history.

Ms Collins, who said she was speaking in her capacity as MP for Papakura, said if Brown was not famous he would not be allowed in to the country.

"If you are going to make exceptions based on, he can sing and some people want to buy tickets to his concert, well, too bad, really.

"He is a very high-profile offender who has very seriously beaten his then-partner, and he has been convicted of a felony assault offence which in the US system is a very serious offence.

"He is not somebody we need in New Zealand when it comes to one of our biggest criminal issues which is domestic violence."

Brown was denied entry into the UK in 2010 on the grounds of being guilty of a serious criminal offence.

INZ confirmed that the rejection meant he could not enter New Zealand. Now he has been rejected from two countries, the chance of him being granted entry her is extremely slim.

"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.

On Friday the same spokesman said no application had been received from Brown for a special direction.

The R&B star was convicted of assault in 2009 for bashing Rihanna, threatening to kill her and biting her ear.

He was sentenced to five years' probation, a year-long domestic violence program and 180 days of community labour.

Two years ago Brown said his counselling helped him understand his actions were wrong.

"I think it is just proving myself once again and me being a man. Knowing what I did was wrong and never doing it again," he said.

The singer has been banned from entering Britain and Canada in the past, and has already toured Australia since the assault conviction on Rihanna.