Snoop passes Aussie character test

9:13pm Saturday 13th September 2008

The immigration department says rapper Snoop Dogg has been granted a visa to enter Australia for a concert tour after concluding a full character assessment of the entertainer.

The department had earlier expressed concern about Snoop Dogg's criminal record but took into account the fact that he had travelled to Australia three times without incident.

The department said in a statement on Friday it weighed his criminal convictions against his previous behaviour while in Australia, recent conduct -- including charity work -- and any likely risk to the Australian community when making the decision.

It said the rapper, whose birth name is Cordozar Calvin Broadus Jr, has committed to doing charity work with at-risk youth during his visit to Australia.