The celebrity the Howard government didn’t want you to see

Australia’s Howard-era immigration system gave a green light to controversial US rapper Eminem but drew the line at heavyweight boxing champion and convicted rapist Mike Tyson.

Cabinet records from 2001 released by the National Archives of Australia on Saturday show then immigration minister Philip Ruddock briefed his ministerial colleagues on the circumstances regarding visas for both American citizens, who were hoping to visit Australia that year.

Eminem performing at Rod Laver Arena in 2001. Credit: The Age

Despite selling millions of albums, Grammy award-winning rapper Eminem had stirred controversy worldwide with his lyrics, which were labelled violent, homophobic and misogynistic by his critics but praised by his fans. At the time he was also on probation for gun-related charges from two incidents in early 2001.

The rapper, who had enjoyed worldwide success with hit single The Real Slim Shady the previous year, only applied for a visa after selling out two concerts in Sydney and Melbourne.

It led conservative lobby group the Australian Family Association to call for his application to be denied because of the explicit nature of his lyrics and an on-stage chainsaw wielding act.

Records of the meeting on July 6, 2001 show Mr Ruddock gave an oral briefing to cabinet on a visa application for Mr Marshall Bruce Mathers III - stage name Eminem - and would “take into account” the views of his colleagues.

John Howard had voiced his concerns about Eminem’s songs, saying they were “sickening and offensive” and he publicly regretted the visa decision was not his to make.

Mathers was eventually granted entry, but Mr Ruddock warned the rapper that a visa for Australia carried the responsibility of “respect for our multicultural society and values”.

When he announced the decision in a statement he said that Eminem should “avoid vilifying or inciting discord” in segments of the Australian community to the point where a potentially dangerous disturbance resulted.

“Breach of these requirements could lead to visa cancellation,” the statement said.

Australian Family Association national secretary Bill Meuhlenberg was disappointed and instead appealed, unsuccessfully, directly to young music fans to steer clear of the artist.

“Given the nature of the content and lyrics we are trying to keep the young people out of these concerts,” Meuhlenberg told Reuters at the time.

Tyson, a former undisputed heavyweight champion of the world who had won his first 19 bouts by knockout, was negotiating with an Australian consortium, headed by former rugby league player Benny Elias, entrepreneur Rene Rivkin and Kerry Packer, to move a planned May bout from the US to
Australia.

After winning his first 37 professional bouts he was surprisingly knocked out by Buster Douglas in 1990 and thereafter his career in and out of the ring was frequently troubled.

He was jailed in 1992 for the rape of beauty pageant contestant Desiree Washington, admitted to squandering up $300 million and infamously bit off part of Evander Holyfield’s ear during a 1997 bout and subsequently had his boxing licence rescinded. He was jailed again several years later after assaulting two motorists in a road rage incident.

Then Victorian premier Steve Bracks also opposed the plan for Tyson to be allowed into Australia to fight.

“I can’t see why we would want to make an exception for one person because he happens to be a good fighter,” Mr Bracks told Melbourne radio station 3AW.

”The crimes were serious, there have been convictions, they are long- term convictions and my personal view would be no [that he shouldn’t be allowed into the country].“

Minutes from the April 16 meeting of cabinet reveal Mr Ruddock updated his colleagues on a prospective visit, noting he would fail the character test because of his “substantial criminal record”.

“The cabinet also noted that it would be appropriate for Mr Mike Tyson to be refused a visa on the basis that he is not of ‘good character’.”

Tyson never applied for the visa.

His visa would again be refused again in 2008 but he was finally granted entry in 2012 for a speaking tour of Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne and Adelaide.