Former heavyweight boxing champion Mike Tyson was Wednesday granted a visa to Australia but warned he must behave, a week after the convicted rapist was denied entry to New Zealand. Tyson, who was sentenced to six years in prison in 1992 for raping an 18-year-old woman, is scheduled to visit Australia in November as part of his Day of the Champions speaking tour. The Immigration Department said it weighed up the pros and cons and decided it was appropriate to allow him into the country with an entertainment visa. But it cautioned him that he must abide by Australian laws. “Mr Tyson has been formally warned that coming to Australia is a privilege,” an immigration department spokeswoman said. Under New Zealand law anyone sentenced to more than five years in jail is denied a visa, although this can be waived in certain circumstances. Having a criminal conviction does not necessarily stop people from getting an Australian visa as long as all offences are disclosed.
