Damon Mcknight
In 2015, Chris Brown was denied a visa to tour Australia due to his history of domestic violence, specifically his assault of then-girlfriend Rihanna in 2009. The Australian government, pressured by activist group GetUp!'s petition, cited 'character grounds' for the refusal, with Minister for Women Michaelia Cash stating that Brown's behaviour did not align with the values expected in Australia. Brown had 28 days to appeal the decision, but it is unclear whether he did so. As of 2023, Brown still faced potential entry bans to Australia and New Zealand due to his criminal history and bad behavior away from the stage.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Reason for Ban | History of domestic violence |
| Date of Ban | 2015 |
| Person Banned | Chris Brown |
| Country Banned From | Australia |
| Type of Ban | Visa refusal |
| Person Who Announced the Ban | Immigration Minister Peter Dutton |
| Person Who Supported the Ban | Minister for Women Michaelia Cash |
| Group That Supported the Ban | GetUp! |
| Number of People Who Signed the Petition | More than 10,000 |
Explore related products
![Indigo [Explicit]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/81tdZRUHQFL._AC_UY218_.jpg)
What You'll Learn
Chris Brown's history of domestic violence
In 2015, Chris Brown was denied a visa to tour Australia due to his history of domestic violence. The decision was made by the Australian government, which cited the R&B singer's criminal record, particularly his assault of his then-girlfriend, pop star Rihanna, in 2009. Brown pleaded guilty to the assault and had toured Australia twice since, but the government was under pressure to refuse him entry in 2015.
Brown has also faced other legal troubles related to violence. In 2018, it was reported that he spent 108 days in a Los Angeles county jail for violating parole after assaulting a stranger. Additionally, an immigration official in New Zealand stated that Brown would be ineligible for a visa unless "given a special direction" due to his history of violence.
The decision to deny Brown a visa to Australia was supported by activist groups such as GetUp!, which launched a petition calling for his entry refusal due to his background of violence against women. The group's campaigner, Sally Rugg, emphasized that the campaign extended beyond Brown, highlighting the "horrifying" number of men convicted of violence against women who retain high-profile careers.
Despite his history of violence, some supporters of Chris Brown have acknowledged his turbulent past while recognizing his dedication to personal transformation and growth. They view him as a music legend who has positively influenced the music industry and his fans worldwide.
American Airlines: Flying to Australia?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
The Australian government's character grounds for visa refusal
The Australian government has the authority to refuse entry to individuals based on character grounds. This is governed by the Migration Act 1958, specifically Section 501, which outlines the 'character test' that applicants must pass.
In the case of Chris Brown, the government cited his history of domestic violence as the reason for his visa refusal. In 2009, Brown physically assaulted his girlfriend, musician Rihanna, leading to his inclusion on a list of high-profile men convicted of violence against women. The Australian government's decision to deny Brown entry was based on the notion that individuals with a history of domestic violence do not meet the character expectations of the country.
The character grounds for visa refusal are not solely applied to violent crimes, but also extend to other areas. For instance, the Administrative Review Tribunal can review decisions to refuse or cancel protection visas on character grounds, relying on sections 5H(2), 36(1C), or 36(2C) of the Migration Act.
The Minister for Immigration and Citizenship holds the power to refuse or cancel visas on character grounds. This power can be reviewed by the Administrative Review Tribunal, which can assess decisions made under the Migration Act regarding visa refusals and cancellations, including those on character grounds.
The visa refusal or cancellation on character grounds can have significant consequences for the individual, including lengthy periods of immigration detention, separation from family and friends, and exclusion from Australia.
Murder Capital of Australia: State with Highest Rate
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Brown's criminal conviction for assaulting Rihanna
In 2009, Chris Brown physically assaulted his then-girlfriend, Rihanna, leaving her with a split lip, a black eye, and bruising on her face. The incident occurred in a Lamborghini on the way back from a party where Rihanna spotted another woman with whom Brown had been unfaithful. After Rihanna found a message from this woman on his phone, the couple began arguing, which escalated to physical violence. Rihanna kicked and hit Brown, after which he punched her with a closed fist. Rihanna then spat blood in his face, which enraged him further.
Brown received a sentence of five years of probation and a community service order for the assault. In a documentary, he reflected on the incident, saying he felt like a "monster" and that the fight would "haunt me forever". He also acknowledged the violent and volatile nature of their relationship, which deteriorated after he admitted to being unfaithful.
The assault left a lasting impact on Rihanna, who felt that she had been "punished over and over" by the media attention surrounding the incident. She became a "poster child for victims of domestic abuse", which subjected her to reliving the traumatic event. Despite the assault, Rihanna and Brown reconciled in 2012, with Rihanna expressing her belief that she could change him and that she was built to handle their relationship's challenges.
Exploring Rhodium Sources in Australia: A Geological Journey
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Activist groups' petitions to ban Brown from Australia
In 2015, activist group GetUp! launched a petition to bar Chris Brown from entering Australia, citing his conviction for assaulting his then-girlfriend Rihanna in 2009. The group argued that Brown's conviction of felony assault meant he was in breach of the Australian visa character test, which precludes anyone with a substantial criminal record. The petition, addressed to the Australian immigration minister, Peter Dutton, stated that allowing Brown's tour to go ahead would send the implicit message that "if you brutally beat a woman, in a short amount of time you will be forgiven, or even celebrated".
The petition was accompanied by a flurry of anti-Brown sentiment, with anti-violence activists attaching "I beat women" stickers to the artist's tour promo posters across cities. GetUp! campaigner Sally Rugg emphasised that the campaign wasn't just about Brown but about the alarming number of men convicted of violence against women who retain high-profile careers in the entertainment industry. She highlighted the importance of the Australian government showing strong leadership in condemning gendered violence.
In response to the petition and public sentiment, the Minister for Women, Michaelia Cash, stated that the immigration minister was reviewing whether it would be appropriate to issue Brown a visa. She asserted that the government was committed to taking a stand against domestic violence and recommended banning Brown's entry.
While the Australian government did not outright ban Brown from entering the country, they issued a notice of intent to refuse him a visa. Brown had the option to challenge this notice or withdraw his application. As of 2015, he had not been officially banned from Australia, but the government made clear its intention to block his entry unless he successfully challenged the visa refusal.
Applying for Government Jobs: Australia's Guide
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Brown's visa application status and appeal process
In 2015, the Australian government denied Chris Brown entry into the country for a planned tour due to his history of domestic violence. Brown had 28 days to appeal the decision and present his case for being allowed to enter Australia.
Brown had been issued with a notice of intent to refuse him a visa, with the Immigration Minister Peter Dutton stating that Brown could either challenge the notice or withdraw his application. Brown's violent history includes pleading guilty to attacking his then-girlfriend, musician Rihanna, in 2009.
The Migration Act states that anyone with a "substantial criminal record" involving a prison sentence of 12 months or more can be refused a visa. The decision to deny Brown a visa was praised by activist group GetUp, who had campaigned against the singer being allowed into the country.
Brown had toured Australia twice since his conviction, in 2011 and 2012, and had shows booked for his 'One Hell of a Nite' tour in December 2015. However, due to the visa refusal, he was forced to cancel his Australian tour.
Standard Lights: Australia's Ban and What's Next
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
Chris Brown was banned from entering Australia in 2015 due to his history of domestic violence, specifically his criminal conviction for assaulting his then-girlfriend, Rihanna, in 2009.
In 2009, Chris Brown pleaded guilty to physically assaulting his then-girlfriend, Rihanna.
It is unclear what Chris Brown's response was to the ban, as he made no public statement regarding the matter.
