Kangaroos, the Great Barrier Reef and beautiful sandy beaches: here are some of the images (clichés, but true!) we have of Australia. A warm country where life is good and where, to be frank, not much happens often. Sportingly, however, Australia is a benchmark: a tennis Grand Slam and a Formula 1 Grand Prix once a year in the second largest city, Melbourne. But above all, a general passion for all sports, from Australian rules football to cricket and all forms of rugby.
Beyond the postcard, discreet Australia has recently begun to make waves, but not those so popular with surfers. For a few months and in particular the affair of the submarines, the name of Scott Morrison has thus often returned to the headlines. The way in which this affair had been handled by the Prime Minister had left a bitter taste in the French. Once again, since the arrival of Novak Djokovic on Australian territory on January 5, all eyes have been on the country. Not sure that we have already talked about Australia as much around the world as in the last ten days.
A fortress country
If the objective of the Morrison government was to send the image of a strict country by expelling the world number one in tennis from the territory, it is successful. Since the Covid-19 pandemic, we already saw Australia as a fortress. Many citizens have been unable to return home for more than two years, stuck elsewhere after the borders were closed. And it’s the same story within the country, when the states had decided to isolate themselves from each other.
A firm policy that leaves no room for exceptions. “No one is above the law,” Scott Morrison said at the start of the Djokovic affair. Not even a champion, no matter how great. Because he is not vaccinated and the reasons for which he obtained his medical exemption seem questionable, Novak Djokovic is obliged to leave the territory. A strong decision that reflects the image of a country with an authoritarian government.
Three institutions pass the buck
What will leave a slightly less serious image, however, is the way the case was handled. Between the federal government which did not know how to take its responsibilities quickly, the government of the State of Victoria which validated the medical exemption and Tennis Australia (organizer of the Australian Open) which had already approved it despite contraindications from the federal government. The three entities constantly passing the buck when asked: whose fault is it?
Finally, in terms of immigration, it is the federal government that has the last word and it is he who will have decided to expel Novak Djokovic for breaking the law. A decision that sends a strong signal about Australian intransigence.
