Ian Chappell to bat for asylum seekers

Ian Chappell, who led the Australians with considerable verve and imagination in the 1970s, is about to embark on a tour of the country in support of asylum seekers. Chappell's travels will be in aid of A Just Australia, a refugee support organisation.

It targets the issue of temporary protection visas, with many Afghans coming to the end of their three-year visas now applying for permanent status.

Speaking in Adelaide before embarking on his journey, Chappell spoke of his experiences with asylum seekers. "These have been sobering experiences, some of them not pleasant," he said. "It's not a pleasant feeling when you feel you've got to apologise for your country, when you've been pretty proud of your country all of your life."

Along with Lowitja O'Donoghue - a prominent figure in the movement for aboriginal rights - Chappell will address the public in Melbourne and Sydney.