Chris Brown tickets on sale today despite Australian tour still in doubt

CHRIS Brown tickets went on Sale on Monday, despite reports his visa application may be denied, meaning his Australian tour will never go ahead.

$600 for a concert that may never happen

TICKETS to Chris Brown’s One Hell Of A Nite Australia tour went on sale on Monday, despite reports his visa application may be denied.

Fans have been left in a state of confusion about whether to purchase tickets to one of his four shows, given the US rapper’s entry into the country is still in doubt.

In a statement posted on the Ticketek.com.au page, Brown’s management said: “Contrary to media reports, Chris Brown’s request to enter Australia on tour has not been denied.

“This request is currently being considered by the office of the Immigration Minister. We respect their right to review this request and have faith that a decision will be made with the full consideration of his continued personal growth, ongoing philanthropic endeavours and desire to perform for his fans.

“Since 2009, Chris Brown has visited Australia on two separate occasions and is looking forward to returning in December.”

Tickets to Brown’s shows range in price from $201.25 to $598.99 and appear to be selling strongly in Sydney and Melbourne, with most tickets close to the stage at Sydney’s Allphones Area already sold out on the Ticketek website.

The official statement from his rep comes after the Australian government on Friday night issued Brown with a formal notice of its intention to refuse his visa application because of his 2009 ­attack on his then-girlfriend, Rihanna.

Radio station Nova, who was giving listeners the chance to win tickets to Brown’s One Hell of a Nite tour, has distanced themselves from the controversial artist, pulling the competition from its website over the weekend.

“Nova has made the decision not to support Chris Brown’s current tour,” a Nova spokeswoman told news.com.au on Monday.

Brown was issued with a “notice of intention to consider refusal” based on his 2009 assault of Rihanna.

Brown is booked to play four shows in Australia before heading to New Zealand for a single show in Auckland. All shows remained listed on his Facebook page on Monday morning.

Immigration Minister Peter Dutton told AAP on Sunday that the 26-year-old singer had been given the “Notice of Intention to Consider Refusal”, which allows him 28 days to present material as to why he should be ­allowed into the country.

“Decisions on whether a visa will or will not be issued are made after that time frame and consideration of the material presented to the Department of Immigration and Border Protection,” Mr Dutton said.

If Brown’s visa application is denied, it is assumed all ticket purchases will be refunded, while ticketing companies will still profit from credit card fees on all sales.

Activist group GetUp, which has endorsed the ban on the No Air singer entering Australia, says the move sends a strong signal that the government is willing to condemn violence against women.

“Australia is at a crisis point with men’s violence against women,” GetUp campaigner Sally Rugg said.

Last week, the government announced a $100 million package to tackle domestic violence and support women escaping abusive relationships.

The notice by Australian officials has also increased uncertainty about Brown’s Auckland show on December 18. New Zealand immigration laws mean anyone who’s been barred from another country or has previous convictions is ineligible for a visa, unless they’re granted a special exemption.

Brown was sentenced to five years’ probation, a year-long domestic violence program and 180 days of community labour for assaulting and threatening to kill Rihanna.

Previously banned from entering Britain and Canada, he has already toured Australia since his conviction for bashing Rihanna.

* An earlier version of this article quoted a fake Chris Brown Instagram account, which claimed his entry had not been denied and his tour would go ahead.

“Don’t listen (to) the bullsh*t I’m coming,” the fake post read. It was later deleted.

Originally published as Chris Brown tickets on sale today despite Australian tour still in doubt