Novak Djokovic’s Visa has been Cancelled: For the second time in a row, Australia has cancelled tennis star Novak Djokovic’s visa due to his refusal to be vaccinated.
He might be deported and face a three-year immigration ban as a result of the judgement based on “health and good order” concerns.
Why Australia cancels Novak Djokovic visa
The 34-year-old Serbian, on the other hand, intends to file a new court battle in order to remain in Australia.
The Australian Open, which begins on Monday, was supposed to feature the world number one in men’s tennis.
In a statement, Immigration Minister Alex Hawke said, “Today I utilised my discretion.
To cancel Mr Novak Djokovic’s visa on health and good order grounds, on the basis that it was in the public interest to do so.”
The decision was made after “careful consideration,” said to Prime Minister Scott Morrison.
“Australians have made tremendous sacrifices during this pandemic, and they properly expect the product of those sacrifices to be protected,” Mr Morrison said, referring to the harsh criticism his government has received for admitting the unvaccinated player into Australia.
Djokovic will meet with immigration officials in Melbourne on Saturday morning and will be allowed to stay at his existing lodging on Friday night, contrary to reports in the Australian media that he would be transferred to an immigration detention hotel.
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The nine-time Australian Open champion was hoping to defend his championship next week, which would make him the most successful male tennis player in history with a total of 21 Grand Slam victories if he won.
Djokovic is now in the Australian Open draw and will play fellow Serb Miomir Kecmanovic early next week. If he is deported, Russian player Andrey Rublev will most likely take his place.
Djokovic’s visa was first revoked on 6 January, shortly after he arrived in Melbourne, after Australian border Force officers claimed he “failed to present acceptable evidence” for a vaccine exemption.
Because it was unknown if he could meet the country’s tight entry criteria, his first declaration that he was coming to play in the Open sparked a criticism from those Australians who have lived under long and strict Covid lockdowns.
Last year, Melbourne was particularly badly hit by lockdowns, with the city spending 262 days under heavy restrictions.
When Djokovic first arrived, he was delayed for hours at the airport’s immigration check and then spent days in an immigration hotel.
His visa was reinstated by a judge a few days later, and he was released after a judge ruled that border authorities had broken protocol when he arrived.
Mr Hawke, though, cancelled Djokovic’s visa on Friday evening in Melbourne, citing unique authorities in Australia’s Migration Act.
The statute gives him the authority to deport anyone who he believes poses a threat to “the health, safety, or good order of the Australian community,” although Djokovic can still appeal.
It comes after Djokovic addressed claims that his agent had submitted a false declaration on his trip paperwork by accident.
After testing positive for Covid-19, Djokovic acknowledged to meeting a journalist and having a photoshoot.
