Australia Prime Minister Scott Morrison comments on Novak Djokovic‘s visa revocation. The statement in full:
“I take note of the decision of the Minister of Immigration regarding Mr Novak Djokovic’s visa,” said Morrison good order to cancel as it was in the public interest. This pandemic has been incredibly difficult for any Australian, but we stuck together and saved lives and livelihoods. Together we achieved one of the lowest death rates, strongest economies, and highest vaccination rates in the world. Australians have made many sacrifices during this pandemic and rightly expect the outcome of those sacrifices to be protected. That is what the Minister is doing today with this measure. Our strict border protection guidelines have protected Australians from Covid and now during the pandemic. Due to the anticipated ongoing legal proceedings, I will not make any further comment. “
9.51 a.m.: The ministry is apparently negotiating with Djokovic lawyers
Djokovic is said to be allowed to speak to immigration officials after another visa cancellation in Australia. The Ministry is currently already in talks with the Serbs’ lawyers, the Australian media reported on Friday evening (local time). The 34-year-old Djokovic already trained this week on the tennis facility in Melbourne, where the first Grand Slam tournament of the year begins on Monday.
It is unclear until when a further objection from the Djokovic side would have to be negotiated in court so that the top favorite can still start in Melbourne. This should probably happen this weekend. According to media reports, a bridging visa is also conceivable. The Australian Open lasts until January 30th.
9:21 am: Secretary Hawke’s statement in full
“Today I exercised my authority under Section 133C (3) of the Migration Act to cancel Mr Novak Djokovic’s visa for reasons of health and good order, as it was in the public interest.
That decision followed orders from the Federal Circuit and Family Court dated January 10, 2022 that overturned an earlier annulment decision for reasons of procedural justice.
In making this decision, I carefully considered the information provided to me by the Home Office, the Australian Border Force and Mr Djokovic.
Scott Morrison’s government is committed to protecting Australia’s borders, particularly in relation to the Covid-19 pandemic. “
Immigration Minister Alex Hawke“/>Djokovic’s great adversary: Australia’s Immigration Minister Alex Hawke
Quelle: dpa / Mick Tsikas
9:07 a.m.: This is Australia’s Migration Act
In the Djokovic case, Australia’s Immigration Minister Alex Hawke based his decision to withdraw his visa with the country’s Migration Act. Under the 1958 directive, the Secretary of State for Immigration can cancel a visa if a person poses a risk, such as a health hazard, to the Australian population. The authority to cancel is anchored in Section 133C (3) of the Migration Act.
According to the law, tennis professional Djokovic can now no longer apply for a visa for Australia “except under certain circumstances” for three years. “Certain circumstances include compelling circumstances affecting the interests of Australia or imperative circumstances affecting the interests of an Australian citizen, permanent resident or eligible New Zealand citizen,” the Department said.
8:34 a.m.: The chronology of the case
10th of December: The deadline for applying for an exemption to participate in the Australian Open ends – for players who have not been vaccinated against the coronavirus. Only those who are fully vaccinated are allowed to compete.
December 16: The unvaccinated Djokovic attends an event organized by the Serbian Post in his home country. In the evening he found out about his infection. The positive PCR result is in documents that his lawyers later submit to the Australian authorities. According to the rules in Serbia, Covid-positives who do not have severe symptoms have to be in isolation for 14 days.
December 17th: Djokovic, who actually lives in Monaco, is a guest at an award ceremony for young tennis players in Serbia’s capital, Belgrade, without a mask or distance.
December 18th: He did an interview with a photo shoot for the French sports newspaper “L’Équipe”.
December 22: Djokovic did another test. Result according to own information: negative.
30th of December: According to his lawyers, Djokovic receives a special permit for the Australian Open from the medical director of the Australian Tennis Association.
New year 2021/2022: Recordings on social media show Djokovic at a tennis club in Marbella, Spain.
January 5th: Djokovic travels to Australia. Because, in the opinion of the authorities, he does not present the necessary documents for an exemption, he is refused entry. He comes to a deportation hotel.
6th January: At a remarkable press conference in Belgrade, Djokovic’s father compared his son to Jesus Christ: “Jesus was crucified, everything was done to him, and he endured it and still lives among us,” said Srdjan Djokovic. “Now they are trying to crucify Novak in the same way and do everything to him.”
10. January: A court in Melbourne upheld Djokovic’s objection and allowed him to enter the country. He is allowed to move freely. A few hours later he is on the training ground.
11th January: It is known that Djokovic stated on his immigration form that he had not traveled in the 14 days prior to the flight to Australia.
January 14th: Australian Immigration Minister Alex Hawke is using his personal rights and declaring Djokovic’s visa invalid again. The Serb can still appeal against it.
8:02 a.m.: Australia declares Djokovic’s visa invalid
Australian Immigration Minister Alex Hawke has declared the visa of Serbian tennis professional Novak Djokovic to be invalid in a personal decision. The minister announced on Friday that this is well-founded and “in the public interest”. A participation of the world number one in the Australian Open, which starts on Monday, is not yet ruled out because the 34-year-old may be able to appeal further, but it has become unlikely. Djokovic is not vaccinated against the coronavirus and is therefore a controversial person in the country that has had tough rules since the beginning of the pandemic.
Djokovic was still training in the Margaret Court Arena in Melbourne on Friday (local time)
Source: AP / Mark Baker
On arrival last week, the authorities had already refused Djokovic entry and classified the documents presented as inadequate for his medical exemption. Because he was not allowed enough time to react, a judge overturned the entry ban during a court hearing on Monday. Djokovic has trained normally since then and prepared for the Australian Open. There he is the defending champion, on Thursday he was drawn against the Serbian Miomir Kecmanovic as an opponent for the first round.
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