Australia lifts visa ban on rapper Snoop Dogg

Canberra: An Australia visa ban on American rapper Snoop Dogg has been lifted, with a new government clearing the way for him to tour with fellow rapper Ice Cube in October.

Snoop Dogg, whose real name is Cordozar Calvin Broadus Jr., was refused entry to the country in 2007 because of his criminal record, ending plans for him to co-host the MTV Australia Video Music Awards.

Snoop Dogg was banned by Australia's former conservative government, which lost power last year to the centre-left Labor government of Prime Minister Kevin Rudd. Labor has steadily softened tough immigration laws while in power.

His criminal record counts several drug and firearm charges since 1990, including a 1993 acquittal for murder. He has also been denied entry to Britain.