Boxer Pownceby's fate in hands of Games panel

CANBERRA - The future of boxer Soulan Pownceby in the New Zealand Commonwealth Games team now rests with a special immigration committee set up to vet athletes and officials.

The Australian Immigration Department's entry advisory group is part of the security blanket being lowered over Melbourne for most of next month.

During the Olympics, Australia refused visas to many, including Uzbekistan boxing official Gafur Rakhimov, alleged to be connected with organised crime.

Pownceby's problems stem from his conviction in 1995 of the manslaughter of his daughter Jeannette.

Pownceby, then known as Soulan Rikihana, was jailed for four years, and between 1998 and 2000 was convicted on four further charges of assault. Pownceby represented New Zealand at the Athens Olympics and his selection for Melbourne has been supported by Games and boxing officials on both sides of the Tasman.

But it has sparked a minor flurry in the Australian media, fuelled last week by Prime Minister John Howard's comment that he thought it would be inappropriate for Pownceby to compete.

The boxer would normally have difficulty entering Australia, due to the strict entry rules relating to New Zealanders with criminal records.

While New Zealanders are normally granted visas automatically, Canberra has become tougher on people it regards as being of dubious character and might refuse entry even if special consideration is sought.

But unlike normal transtasman visits, Pownceby's place in the New Zealand team means he will need a special Commonwealth Games travel authority instead of a standard visa.

Cases such as Pownceby's are passed to the entry advisory group which will pass its recommendations to Immigration Minister Amanda Vanstone.

The ultimate decision rests with her.

A spokesman for Senator Vanstone confirmed that Pownceby's case was before the entry advisory group.

"Once the minister has further information to hand a decision will be made."

He said that under privacy laws the decision would be given only to Pownceby, and no public announcement would be made.