The world tennis no 1 tennis player, Novak Djokovic’s visa has been cancelled. Most probably, he will not participate in the 10th Australian Open unless he made an appeal.
Immigration Minister Alex Hawke has used his personal power to cancel Novak Djokovic’s visa, as his lawyers prepare to file an immediate injunction against the decision.
The move has thrown the world tennis no.1’s quest for a 10th Australian Open into turmoil with the tournament to begin on Monday. If he doesn’t challenge the decision in the courts or is unsuccessful in doing so, he will be immediately deported from the country.
Mr Hawke late on Friday afternoon said: “Today I exercised my power under section 133C(3) of the Migration Act to cancel the visa held by Mr Novak Djokovic on health and good order grounds, on the basis that it was in the public interest to do so.
“This decision followed orders by the Federal Circuit and Family Court on 10 January 2022, quashing a prior cancellation decision on procedural fairness grounds.
“In making this decision, I carefully considered information provided to me by the Department of Home Affairs, the Australian Border Force and Mr Djokovic.
“The Morrison Government is firmly committed to protecting Australia’s borders, particularly in relation to the COVID-19 pandemic.”
