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THE Federal Government today refused a visa to allow controversial American rapper Snoop Dogg, who was convicted of drug and gun offences recently, to enter Australia.
Immigration Minister Kevin Anderws announced this morning a visa would not be granted to 35-year-old Snoop Dogg, who was due in Australia to attend this week's MTV awards where he was to be a major host.
A spokesman for Mr Andrews told The Daily Telegraph Online today: "The Minister has given him what is known as a notice of intention to cancel. He has got 28 days to give reason why he should be allowed to come to Australia."
Mr Andrews slapped the ban on the rapper after he was refused entry to Britain following an affray incident at Heathrow Airport recently.
The Immigration Department also revealed Snoop Dogg overstayed his visa by two days on a trip to Australia in February and was also given an official warning on his last visit to Australia regarding overstaying and involvement in alleged criminal mattters.
The Daily Telegraph Online can reveal he was seeking a short-stay visa from tomorrow until May 3 to attend the MTV awards.
Mr Andrews also told radio station 2GB's Ray Hadley program today that: "He has an opportunity to respond to that but the reality is the man was given a warning the last time.
"He has been denied entry into the UK because he was causing affray at Heathrow, he is not the sort of bloke we want in this country.''
The government decision also follows Snoop Dogg's April 12 appearance in an American court during which the rapper pleaded no contest to felony, gun and drug charges yesterday and avoided what could have been a long prison sentence.
Born Cordozar Calvin Broadus Jr, he agreed to five years' probation and 800 hours of community service. He faced charges of gun possession by a felon and sale or transportation of marijuana.
Snoop Dogg's recent arrests marked the end of a trouble-free stretch for the rapper. He has burnished his image in recent years with appearances in mainstream movies and by starting a youth football league.
He was arrested at Bob Hope Airport in Burbank on October 26 on suspicion of transporting marijuana. Police later found a gun at his home. If convicted at trial he could have faced up to four years in prison.
Conditions on the probation, included that only 400 hours of the community service could involve the youth football league.
The court also ruled that Snoop Dogg could not have gang members in his entourage and must notify the probation department before leaving the state. He must also provide authorities with a DNA sample and he must have a medical permit if he uses marijuana.
In previous run-ins with police, Snoop Dogg was convicted in 1990 of cocaine possession and charged with gun possession in 1993. In 1997, he pleaded guilty in exchange for three years' probation. In 1996, he was acquitted of a murder charge.
[b]Rumours abound that the real reason Mr Dogg was denied a visa, is that he and his minders refused to agree to carry Doggy Pooper Scoopers at all times in accordance with the New South Wales Dogg act,however the Immigration Minister refused to either confirm or deny this.
Full marks to the minister there is enough Dog shit on the streets of Sydney now without importing more.[/b]