US rapper Chris Brown has been banned from touring Australia on character grounds.
Brown’s Australian tour tickets were due to go on sale today, however the tour is no longer listed on the singer’s website.
The Guardian reports the immigration minister, Peter Dutton, has confirmed the ban.
Brown pleaded guilty to attacking pop singer Rihanna, in 2009.
The performer was issued with a formal notice that his visa application would be denied on Friday night, Dutton said. He has 28 days to appeal.
“People to whom these notices are issued have 28 days to present material as to why they should be given a visa to enter Australia,” the minister said.
“Decisions on whether a visa will or will not be issued are made after that timeframe and consideration of the material presented to the Department of Immigration and Border Protection.”
Brown was due to tour Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Perth in December as part of his One Hell of a Nite tour.
A spokeswoman for Brown’s touring company would not answer any of Guardian Australia’s questions on the matter, offering only: “No comment”.
Brown has toured Australia twice since he assaulted Rihanna in 2009.
