JohnCenaFan28
09-15-2008, 07:57 PM
Rapper Snoop Dogg has been granted a visa to enter Australia, which will allow him to tour the country.
http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/media/images/45010000/jpg/_45010696_snoop_ap226b.jpg
The immigration department made the announcement following a full character assessment of the 36-year-old, whose real name is Cordozar Calvin Broadus.
Initially, authorities had expressed concerns about his criminal record.
A government statement said: "The department weighed his criminal convictions against his previous behaviour while in Australia."
'Formally counselled'
The performer's "charity work" and "any likely risk to the Australian community" was looked at.
"We took into account all relevant factors and, on balance, the department decided to grant the visa," the statement said.
"Mr Broadus will need to abide by Australia's laws and he will be formally counselled before his arrival about his visa conditions and our expectations relating to his conduct."
Oscar-winning Australian actor Russell Crowe wrote a letter to immigration officials to support the rapper's visa application.
"I submit to you that Snoop Dogg poses no threat to Australia or to any individual in this country," he said.
Snoop Dogg visited Australia in 1998, 2006 and early 2007.
He withdrew a visa application in May after failing to pass the character requirements one month after pleading no contest to gun and drug charges in the US.
The same month, the British government lodged a second appeal to stop him from entering the UK.
He was originally barred from Britain after he was involved in a brawl at Heathrow Airport in April 2006, but the ban was lifted in February.
His Australian tour with Ice Cube and Thugs-N-Harmony is due to start next month.
BBC News
http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/media/images/45010000/jpg/_45010696_snoop_ap226b.jpg
The immigration department made the announcement following a full character assessment of the 36-year-old, whose real name is Cordozar Calvin Broadus.
Initially, authorities had expressed concerns about his criminal record.
A government statement said: "The department weighed his criminal convictions against his previous behaviour while in Australia."
'Formally counselled'
The performer's "charity work" and "any likely risk to the Australian community" was looked at.
"We took into account all relevant factors and, on balance, the department decided to grant the visa," the statement said.
"Mr Broadus will need to abide by Australia's laws and he will be formally counselled before his arrival about his visa conditions and our expectations relating to his conduct."
Oscar-winning Australian actor Russell Crowe wrote a letter to immigration officials to support the rapper's visa application.
"I submit to you that Snoop Dogg poses no threat to Australia or to any individual in this country," he said.
Snoop Dogg visited Australia in 1998, 2006 and early 2007.
He withdrew a visa application in May after failing to pass the character requirements one month after pleading no contest to gun and drug charges in the US.
The same month, the British government lodged a second appeal to stop him from entering the UK.
He was originally barred from Britain after he was involved in a brawl at Heathrow Airport in April 2006, but the ban was lifted in February.
His Australian tour with Ice Cube and Thugs-N-Harmony is due to start next month.
BBC News