Immigration minister Alex Hawke welcomes court’s ruling to deport Novak Djokovic

Australian Immigration Minister Alex Hawke released a statement addressing the Sydney Federal Court’s decision to overturn an appeal brought by Serbian tennis star, Novak Djokovic’s lawyers, to allow him to remain in the country, to participate in the Australian Open 2022, which begins on Monday. 

His full statement reads –

16 January 2022

I welcome today’s unanimous decision by the Full Federal Court of Australia, upholding my decision to exercise my power under the Migration Act to cancel Mr Novak Djokovic’s visa in the public interest.

Also Read | Novak Djokovic clarifies movements as Australian visa saga continues

Australia’s strong border protection policies have kept us safe during the pandemic, resulting in one of the lowest death rates, strongest economic recoveries, and highest vaccination rates in the world. Strong border protection policies are also fundamental to safe-guarding Australia’s social cohesion which continues to strengthen despite the pandemic.

Also Read | Australian Open 2022: Novak Djokovic out, mixed reactions pour in

Australians have made great sacrifices to get to this point and the Morrison Government is firmly committed to protecting this position, as the Australian people expect.

To date around 43 million vaccination doses have been administered in Australia and more than 91.6% of Australians aged 16 years and over are fully vaccinated.

Accordingly, Australia has been able to commence a step-by-step, safe reopening of its international border as a result of this successful vaccination program.

Also Read | How will Australian Open 2022 proceed without Novak Djokovic?

It was Hawke, who exercised his ministerial powers to overturn the earlier decision by a federal circuit judge to reinstate Djokovic’s visa. The world number 1 had first gotten his visa cancelled, and was detained after an emergent discrepancy regarding his vaccination status, upon arrival in Australia. 

With Hawke’s executive decision, and the court’s decision to uphold the same, Djokovic is technically not allowed to obtain an Australian visa for the next three years, which means he could be barred from participating in Australian Opens through 2025. However, Djokovic can apply for a visa, and under compassionate and compelling reasons, the Australian government reserves the right to take it into consideration.