Madonna scraps plan to tour Australia

MADONNA has scrapped plans for her first Australian tour in 20 years.

MADONNA has scrapped plans for her first Australian tour in 20 years.

Her manager, Guy Oseary, reportedly told promoter Live Nation about Madonna's change of heart overnight.

Live Nation Australia confirmed the cancellation today, but had no further comment.

Madonna was set to announce summer dates for Melbourne and Sydney on July 12, but postponed the announcement until after the London Olympics.

Stadiums in Sydney and Melbourne had been booked for her new show, MDNA, in January and February.

Earlier this year, Oseary said: ''Madonna really needs to go to Australia. We are long overdue for a trip Down Under and apologise for that. It will happen.''

Live Nation boss Arthur Fogel added: ''We'll get to these markets where she's never been, some exciting new places, and get back to Australia after too long a time.''

But rival promoters claim the show was not viable in a crowded summer tour market.

Coldplay and Red Hot Chili Peppers will tour in summer.

Nicki Minaj and Nickelback are also set to announce last-quarter dates.

Madonna's publicist Liz Rosenberg is being sought for comment.

The MDNA tour has had a controversial start in Europe. Madonna flashed her breast in Istanbul and displayed a Nazi swastika in Paris.

Punters had also complained about ticket prices, which ranged from $45 to $600.

But Madonna urged: ''Start saving your pennies now. People spend $300 on crazy things all the time, things like handbags. So work all year, scrape the money together and come to my show. I'm worth it.''

Madonna last performed in Australia, with her Girlie Show, in 1993.