Djokovic will not be able to secure a visa to visit Australia for three years, except in circumstances that affect Australia’s interests
The Australian government revoked Novak Djokovic’s visa for the second time on 14 January, saying world tennis No 1, unvaccinated for COVID-19, could pose a risk to the community.
The decision raises the prospect of a second court battle by the Serbian tennis star to be allowed to stay and bid for a record 21st major tennis title at the Australian Open, but time is running out with the tournament starting on January 17.
Australian Immigration Minister Alex Hawke exercised his discretionary powers to revoke Djokovic’s visa after a court overturned an earlier revocation and He was released from immigration detention on 10 January.,
“Today I exercised my power under section 133C(3) of the Migration Act to revoke a visa held by Mr. Novak Djokovic on grounds of health and good order, on the grounds that it was in the public interest to do so,” Mr. said. Hawke said in a statement.
The government is “strongly committed to protecting Australia’s borders, particularly in relation to the COVID-19 pandemic,” Mr Hawke said.
He said he had “carefully considered” information from Djokovic, the Home Office and the Australian Border Force.
Under the section of the Migration Act, which used his power to revoke the minister’s visa, Djokovic would not be able to secure a visa to visit Australia for three years, except in circumstances affecting the interests of Australia.
Djokovic was the defending champion of Australian Open Included in the draw on January 13 as the top seed And was probably due to face fellow Serb Miomir Kekmanovic for his opening match on January 17 or 18.
The saga has sparked a global debate over rights of choice for vaccines, raised questions over Australia’s handling of Djokovic’s visas and a difficult issue for Prime Minister Scott Morrison as he runs for re-election. are promoting.
The tennis star, a vaccine skeptic, sparked widespread anger in Australia when she announced last week that she was heading to Melbourne for the Australian Open, giving visitors a medical exemption for vaccination requirements against COVID-19 Is.
Australia has endured some of the world’s longest lockdowns, has a 90% vaccination rate among adults, and a runaway Omicron outbreak has brought nearly a million cases in the past two weeks.
Upon his arrival, Australian Border Force officers decided that his exemption was invalid and he was held with asylum seekers in an immigration detention hotel for several days.
On January 10, a court allowed him to stay on the grounds that the way officials handled his interview in the middle of the night, a seven-hour process, was “unfair”.
Djokovic was mistakenly not helped in his admission declaration relating to foreign travel over the past two weeks, which he attributed to his agent. He also admitted that he should have rescheduled an interview and photoshoot for a French newspaper on 18 December while he was infected with COVID-19.
An online survey by the News Corp media group found that 83 percent supported the government trying to deport the tennis star.
“Absolutely, he should go. He hasn’t done the right thing and is being a little cheeky about it,” said Venus Virgin Tomarz (45), who lives in Melbourne.
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