International

Novak Djokovic’s Australian Visa Revoked Again

Published

3 years ago

Jan 14, 2022.

Novak Djokovic’s Australian Visa Canceled Again in Public Interest

EKO HOT BLOG reports that Australia has canceled Novak Djokovic’s visa for a second time, reversing a court decision on Monday that temporarily thwarted the federal government’s bid to deport the unvaccinated tennis star.

Immigration Minister Alex Hawke exercised special powers to override the court ruling, just days before the world mens’ No. 1 is due to vie for a record 21st Grand Slam victory at the Australian Open. The visa was revoked on health and good order grounds and on the basis that it was in the public interest to do so, he said in a statement Friday.

“Australians have made many sacrifices during this pandemic, and they rightly expect the result of those sacrifices to be protected,” Prime Minister Scott Morrison said in a statement following the decision. “Our strong border protection policies have kept Australians safe.”

Morrison said he wouldn’t comment further due on the cancellation due to expected ongoing legal proceedings. Djokovic has been asked to attend an interview with immigration officials tomorrow, and will remain out of detention until then and pending any legal action, The Age tweeted on Friday evening. The star’s lawyers are still considering their options, the newspaper said.

Djokovic was entered into the Australian Open on Thursday despite lingering doubts over his ability to play, with the number one seed due to face fellow Serbian Miomir Kecmanovic in his first match.

Public outrage has dogged the champion since his arrival in the country late last Wednesday. The revelation that he’d secured a medical exemption to play in the tournament unleashed a wave of anger in a country that’s endured some of the toughest curbs seen in the pandemic, with Melbourne becoming one of the world’s most locked down cities. While Victoria state granted Djokovic the exemption, federal officials overturned his visa on arrival.

Judge Anthony Kelly quashed the visa cancellation in a court hearing on Monday, saying the player wasn’t given enough time to fully respond to officials who denied him entry to Australia. He warned that any attempt by minister Hawke to use his personal cancellation powers could mean that Djokovic wouldn’t be able to return to Australia for three years.

“In making this decision, I carefully considered information provided to me by the Department of Home Affairs, the Australian Border Force and Mr. Djokovic,” Hawke said in the statement Friday. “The Morrison government is firmly committed to protecting Australia’s borders.”

The move comes as the prime minister seeks to show his government is managing the pandemic crisis just months ahead of national elections that must be held by May this year.

Djokovic this week caused further controversy in Australia and abroad when he admitted that he attended a newspaper interview and photo shoot when he knew he was infectious with Covid-19. He also blamed “human error” for an incorrect travel declaration that he used to enter Australia.

More than 90% of Australian adults are fully vaccinated and restrictions remain on those who aren’t. People who haven’t had at least two doses of vaccine are restricted from entering most indoor venues in Victoria as the state seeks to curb the spread of the omicron variant and ease pressure on hospitals.

The country reported more than 100,000 new Covid-19 cases for the first time in a single day on the Saturday after Djokovic arrived.

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