Chris Brown tickets go on sale, promoters promise refunds
UPDATE: TMN previously quoted a commentfrom animposter Chris BrownFacebook account. We assume all responsibilty and have updated this story accordingly.
It appears GetUp!’s petition, titled 'No, Chris Brown. You're Not Welcome In Australia', was heard by the Immigration Minister.
The singer was issued a formal noticeof intent to refuse his visa on Saturday night, just over two months out from his Australian tour. He lodged his visa application last Wednesday.
Brown and his promoters Westgate Entertainment and Castor & FordAgency now have the option to challenge the notice – they’ve been given 28 days to explain why he should be allowed to enter the country – or withdraw the visa application.
Tickets to the December 9 -16 national tour will go on sale at 12pm today and tickets to his Auckland show on December 18 went on sale on this morning. Howeverpromoter Castor & Fordsaidshould the dates be cancelled, ticket-buyers will receive a full refund.
GetUp!’s petition requestedMinister for Immigration Peter Dutton to refuse Brown a visa due to his history of domestic violence. In 2009, Brown was sentenced to nine months probation for punching then-girlfriend Rihanna with a closed fist, dragging her out of a car and threatening to kill her. Rihanna ended up in hospital, the police report can be read here. In 2013he plead guilty to an unrelated felony assault charge and was jailed.
Brown has already been banned from the UK and Canada over his criminal history.
While Brown has visited Australia twicesince brutally beating Rihanna in 2009, the Federal Government has announced a renewed stance against domestic violence. In Australia 63 women have been killed as a result of family violence this year. Last week, Malcolm Turnbullannounced a $100 million dollar Federal package to combat domestic violence.
Brown took to Instagram today to post the following statement: