CANBERRA -- Australia on Monday dismissed calls to ban Zimbabwe President Robert Mugabe from a Commonwealth leaders' meeting because of human rights abuses.

Foreign Minister Alexander Downer said Zimbabwe's problems had been discussed by Commonwealth foreign ministers but added there was no push to ban Mugabe from the October 6-9 meeting.

"No, that's not being proposed," Downer said.

"I think it's only fair to say that there's widespread concern amongst Commonwealth countries and no doubt others as well about the violence that there's been in Zimbabwe, attacks on farm workers, on farmers, politically related violence and the like," he told Australian Broadcasting Corp (ABC) Radio.

Conservative member of Parliament Peter Slipper wants organizers of October's Commonwealth Heads of government meeting (CHOGM) to ban Mugabe, whose campaign to seize white-owned farms to give to landless blacks has been condemned internationally.

Nine white farmers have died in the violence that has accompanied the occupation of these farms and scores of farm workers have been injured.

Slipper said Mugabe's proposed visit had already resulted in threats of violence and protests at the Commonwealth meeting in the Queensland state capital of Brisbane, which is expected to be attended by about 52 world leaders.

"The bottom line is that Mr. Mugabe is ruling over a new regime of Apartheid in Africa, because he condones the murder and violence of his citizens," Slipper said in a statement.

The best solution to the Mugabe problem is to stop him attending CHOGM and from coming to Australia."

Amnesty International has said Mugabe would be targeted by protesters for inciting violence against white farmers, political killings and homophobic laws.

Australia's opposition labor leader Kim Beazley said Australia should let Mugabe come and use his visit as an opportunity to address concerns about the situation in Zimbabwe.

Downer said the Commonwealth had tried to send a delegation to Harare to discuss what he described as disturbing reports of violence as well as the collapse of the Zimbabwe economy.

"He's refused to allow the delegation to visit," Downer said.

"I think the right tactic would have been, and still is, for President Mugabe to welcome a Commonwealth delegation...and try to chart a way forward from there," he said.

Organizers are preparing for violence at the Commonwealth meeting which will be led by Queen Elizabeth as head of the 54-nation organization of mostly former British colonies.

Loose alliances of protesters backing causes from anti-globalization and human rights to the environment have vowed to descend on Brisbane to demonstrate.

Up to 1,600 police and troops will be used to prevent any repetition of the violence which has marred other recent international gatherings.