Madonna cancels Australia tour plans

Madonna has cancelled plans to take her Confessions tour to Australia.

The singer has apologised to her fans Down Under, explaining that there will not be time for dates in Oz because she needs to take her children back to school in September.

"Please forgive me. I really did hope and expect to come to Australia during the Confessions Tour and asked my managers to try to include some shows there. I have fond memories from previous tours. Unfortunately, the logistics just didn't work out this time around," Madonna said in a statement published on her website.

"We looked into going from Japan to Australia and ending the show there but I have to get my kids back into school in England and they are, as you can understand, my most important priority.

"The important thing to remember is that I'm not retiring anytime soon and I am gonna get to Australia as soon as I can. You remain in my heart and Thank you for your continued love & support."