Chris Brown can still appeal visa refusal

Australia warned United States rapper Chris Brown could be denied a visa for an upcoming tour because of his criminal record as it unveiled a Aus100 million (70 million) package to end the “national disgrace” of domestic violence.

However, the decision on whether Brown should be granted visa to perform in Australia reportedly relies on Immigration Minister Peter Dutton.

Cash said in her previous job as assistant minister for immigration she had prevented an unidentified sportsman from coming to Australia because of his domestic violence convictions. “And certainly, without pre-empting the decision of the minister, I can assure you it is something that the minister is looking at”.

The present Minister for Women Michaelia Cash recommended Dutton to take a strong action on Brown.

He was sentenced to five years probation, 180 days of community service and rehab.

Brown is scheduled to bring his “One Hell of a Nite Tour” to Australia in December. An online petition started by activist group, Get Up, has managed to obtain nearly 14,000 signatures in the hopes that the petition would convince the Immigration Minister to deny Brown entry into the country. “Chris Brown is not the point of this campaign”, a senior campaigner for GetUp, Kelsey Cooke, said to SkyNews. The actress, screenwriter and film producer Rebecca Valastro tweeted, “Feels good to be lucky enough to live in Australia, especially as government says -NO MORE domestic violence”.

Brown now has 28 days to explain why he should be allowed into the country.

In 2009, Chris Brown pleaded guilty to assaulting his then-girlfriend, the pop star Rihanna.

The decision by Australian authorities to refuse his entry into the country shows a marked determination to tackle what is labelled one of “the great shames of Australia”.

Domestic violence has become a growing issue Down Under and has caused 63 deaths in the country this year.