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RAPPER Lil Wayne could enter Victorian classrooms under an unusual plan put to immigration authorities by Collingwood Football Club president Eddie McGuire.
Wayne - jailed for eight months last year on a weapons charge and currently doing three years' probation for drug charges - is scheduled to visit Melbourne soon.
But with his visa still pending, Collingwood Football Club has put a case for the rapper, born Dwayne Carter, to be allowed to perform.
David Emerson, the club's director of venue operations and community, confirmed a letter vouching for Lil Wayne, and an offer to use him in an anti-knives campaign in schools, was sent to promoter Paul Dainty.
In turn, Mr Dainty made a visa application for Wayne, which included a supporting letter from McGuire, to authorities.
If the visa is granted, and the minister accepts Collingwood's offer, Lil Wayne will visit schools for the Knives Scar Lives campaign with footy stars Harry O'Brien and Dane Swan.
Results: Li'l Wayne Australian tour
Thanks for voting!
Should US rap singer Li'l Wayne be allowed into Australia to perform?
Yes
40.85% (924 votes)
No
59.15% (1338 votes)
Total votes: 2262
The Magpies will consult Victoria Police and the Justice Department to determine the schools to visit.
Crime Victims Support Association chief Noel McNamara criticised the plan.
"We shouldn't make ex-criminals ambassadors," Mr McNamara said. "A victim of crime would be better suited to visit schools to give this message - not this bad dude. We oppose this idea."
But McGuire said the rapper would have an impact.
"We think it is a positive thing to integrate into our campaign somebody who has been in trouble in this area, to tell these kids, 'Don't use weapons'," he said.
"There is no point in having an altar boy turning up to say these things."
Lil Wayne has sold 10 million records and won four Grammy Awards. His explicit lyrics are mostly about wealth and women.
Privacy laws prevent Immigration Minister Chris Bowen from discussing the visa application.
Lil Wayne is scheduled to perform at Rod Laver Arena on November 29 and at Etihad Stadium, with Eminem, on December 1.
Eddie McGuire's idea puts Lil Wayne in class rap row | Herald Sun
RAPPER Lil Wayne could enter Victorian classrooms under an unusual plan put to immigration authorities by Collingwood Football Club president Eddie McGuire.
Wayne - jailed for eight months last year on a weapons charge and currently doing three years' probation for drug charges - is scheduled to visit Melbourne soon.
But with his visa still pending, Collingwood Football Club has put a case for the rapper, born Dwayne Carter, to be allowed to perform.
David Emerson, the club's director of venue operations and community, confirmed a letter vouching for Lil Wayne, and an offer to use him in an anti-knives campaign in schools, was sent to promoter Paul Dainty.
In turn, Mr Dainty made a visa application for Wayne, which included a supporting letter from McGuire, to authorities.
If the visa is granted, and the minister accepts Collingwood's offer, Lil Wayne will visit schools for the Knives Scar Lives campaign with footy stars Harry O'Brien and Dane Swan.
Results: Li'l Wayne Australian tour
Thanks for voting!
Should US rap singer Li'l Wayne be allowed into Australia to perform?
Yes
40.85% (924 votes)
No
59.15% (1338 votes)
Total votes: 2262
The Magpies will consult Victoria Police and the Justice Department to determine the schools to visit.
Crime Victims Support Association chief Noel McNamara criticised the plan.
"We shouldn't make ex-criminals ambassadors," Mr McNamara said. "A victim of crime would be better suited to visit schools to give this message - not this bad dude. We oppose this idea."
But McGuire said the rapper would have an impact.
"We think it is a positive thing to integrate into our campaign somebody who has been in trouble in this area, to tell these kids, 'Don't use weapons'," he said.
"There is no point in having an altar boy turning up to say these things."
Lil Wayne has sold 10 million records and won four Grammy Awards. His explicit lyrics are mostly about wealth and women.
Privacy laws prevent Immigration Minister Chris Bowen from discussing the visa application.
Lil Wayne is scheduled to perform at Rod Laver Arena on November 29 and at Etihad Stadium, with Eminem, on December 1.
Eddie McGuire's idea puts Lil Wayne in class rap row | Herald Sun
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