Chris Brown facing protests over Australia tour

A petition has been launched urging Australian officials not to issue a visa to troubled singer Chris Brown.

The Kiss Kiss star is set to head Down Under in December (15) with his One Hell of A Nite tour, but he is facing opposition from Australian activists who are demanding politicians refuse him entry because of his criminal record.

Brown was convicted of assault in 2009 for beating up his then-girlfriend Rihanna, while a number of other brushes with the law when he was on probation landed him a stint in jail last year (14).

Activists at GetUp! Action for Australia are convinced Brown should be denied entry into the country and they have launched a petition asking Immigration Minister Peter Dutton to refuse him a visa.

A message posted on the group's website along with the petition reads, "We urge you to refuse Chris Brown a visa to visit Australia. Due to his conviction of felony assault (a criminal charge), we believe he is in breach of the Australian visa character test, for having 'a substantial criminal record'... New Zealand have already indicated they are unlikely to allow Chris Brown into the country, following the lead of the U.K. We ask that Australia follow suit. Chris Brown is an extremely influential figure, particularly among young people. Allowing his entry into Australia sends the message that the... government does not place significant weight and condemnation on men's violence against women."

Brown was previously banned from entering Britain in 2010 due to his criminal record.