Australia Doesn’t Want Chris Brown In Their Country

Minister for Women Michaelia Cash said the Minister for Immigration was considering whether it would be appropriate to issue Brown a visa. “This is a government that is not afraid to say: ‘no, ‘” she added.

Cash was speaking alongside Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull during a news conference at which they announced a series of measures to try to tackle the problem of domestic violence in Australia.

In March 2009, Brown was charged with felony assault and making criminal threats following an altercation with pop artist Rihanna, his girlfriend at the time. Because he was banned from the United Kingdom in 2010 for the same reasons, he may have trouble getting a visa both in Australia and New Zealand where he’s also set to perform.

This isn’t the first time the singer’s shaky past has given him trouble with immigration officials.

Chris Brown released this apology video in 2009.

The federal government is considering refusing a visa to U.S. singer Chris Brown on character grounds over his history of domestic violence.

“Disrespecting women does not always result in violence against women but all violence against women begins with disrespecting women”, Turnbull, 60, said, pointing out that 63 Australian females had been killed by their partners or family members this year.

The announcement of Brown’s upcoming tour has caused outrage amongst many Australians, with News Corp’s Tyson Wray asking how we can “allow a convicted domestic violence abuser, a homophobe and a misogynist who promotes rape culture to visit our shores”.

Brown’s planned December tour would take in shows in New Zealand, but his past conviction means he will have to apply for a special visa to get into the country.

Brown’s four-date One Hell of a Nite Tour of Australia is due to kick off Dec. 9 at Perth Arena, before visiting Melbourne (Dec. 12), Sydney (Dec. 14) and concluding Dec. 16 at Brisbane Entertainment Centre. To celebrate the end of his probation, after six years and one month, Brown tweeted, “I’m off probation!!!!!”

Tour promoter Westgate Entertainment didn’t immediately respond to an e-mailed request for comment.