There is speculation that immigration minister Alex Hawke is on the verge of booting tennis player Novak Djokovic out of the country after he admitted to making a false declaration on his visa form.
A judge initially overturned a decision to cancel Djokovic’s visa and at the time said ‘What more could he have done?’ (to enter the country) – but since then there have been more twists and turns than a John Grisham novel.
Djokovic’s visa form claimed he hadn’t traveled anywhere before arriving in Australia in the previous 14 days which was found to be blatantly untrue after he was spotted in Spain.
Djokovic also admitted yesterday that he knew he was COVID-positive when he attended an interview and a photoshoot that broke Serbia’s isolation rules. The admission came after questions about the validity of Djkokovic’s tests results after an investigation from a German newspaper.
The case has sparked worldwide attention and everyone it seems has an opinion.
Federal opposition leader Anthony Albanese was asked about it this morning.
“How is it that a … visa was granted in the first place?”, he said on the Today show.
“This has been diabolical for Australia’s reputation, just in terms of our competence here and it is extraordinary that – as we are speaking – we still don’t know what the decision will be.”
“The decision should have been made before he was granted a visa. Either he was eligible or he wasn’t.”
“Australia has a policy of not allowing unvaccinated people into Australia. It is beyond my comprehension how we have got to this point.”
If Djokovic does have his visa cancelled again the big question is what happens next?
That could lead us down another long and winding road.
Meanwhile, AAP is reporting that Australia’s Serbian community turned out in force to show their support for the tennis ace in his visa row, opinions are still divided in his Serbian homeland over his aversion to getting vaccinated against the coronavirus.
The athlete, who has embraced a new-age lifestyle, has never been vaccinated for COVID-19 although he has not advocated resistance to inoculation – a hot topic in Serbia for over a year.
People waiting for their jab at a hall in Belgrade disagreed on whether the country’s most famous sportsman should have his jab.
“He should be vaccinated because it is good for every person, and for him,” Robi Basic said.
Marina Djodic defended Djokovic’s stance.
“It is a matter of choice. Everyone makes own choices,” she said.
COVID-19 has so far killed 12,984 people in the Balkan country, which has a population of about seven million. More than 1,386,000 cases have been recorded. Snezana Kalabic, a doctor overseeing vaccinations at the hall, said the numbers of those getting their shots had dwindled since last January.
“At the beginning, we would vaccinate five, six thousand people. In past weeks, the numbers fell drastically to 400 and now to 300 doses per day,” Kalabic said.
Although they introduced restrictive measures in 2020, Serbian authorities have maintained relatively loose policies.
Prime Minister Ana Brnabic said she preferred education to penalties in combating the pandemic.
“I would always prefer talking to people, educating people, informing and appealing, than introducing penalty policies,” she told Reuters.
Bojan Klacar, executive director of the Belgrade-based CESID pollster, said those who are against the vaccination remain entrenched despite appeals by public figures and authorities.
With AAP
NSWelshman
Roar Rookie
I was stranded overseas for 6 months & attempted everything to get back to Australia….requesting an exemptions to be with my wife who was going thru a cancer scare but was denied & denied so forgive me if I have an issue with poor Djokovic & his exemption attempt to play tennis! Thankfully my wife recovered!
Jacko
Roar Rookie
Yep I just proved you cant read and then comprehend what you just read. You are a hater. Go hate someone or something. No wonder you had to be in bed by 9.30 but believe me the world is far less black and white when you are an adult.
NSWelshman
Roar Rookie
Mate you’re a joke…..go support your antivaxx self centred hero. I don’t have time for Djokovic or you.
Jacko
Roar Rookie
I have no interest in Serbia’s history good, bad or in between but you claimed Novaks mum does not protest these atrocities yet I garrantee you have no idea what Novaks mum does or doesnt do as far as human rights is concerned. Then you prove you biases by claiming he isnt Nadal or Federer. Geez did that take you long to work out? Pat Cash is one of my favourite tennis players and I hardly follow tennis apart from results but he is regarded as a hero in AUs so can you imagine what having an Aus player who won 20 titles would be like in Aus? He/She would be absolutely worshipped and they wouldnt be Nadal or Federer either. Novak has won 9 Aus opens and all you want to do is Hate? Jealosy is a curse. Go to bed??? seriously? Its just after 9.30pm on saturday night!!! And yes I can see you as the type of person who parties at others misfortune. Classy!!!
Jacko
Roar Rookie
I 100% agree with you.
NSWelshman
Roar Rookie
Oh mate go to sleep you obviously have no clue as to human rights issues or what the Serbs as a whole did during the Bosnian War & were proud of it. It’s a bit rich a Serb talking about torture & human rights when her son was in a comfortable hotel room today whilst Bosnian Muslims were murdered during the war. Give it up… we get it you like Djokovic. I don’t dislike him but I dislike his self centred attitude & total disrespect for Australia & our laws. If this happened to any other person they’d be out of Australia! No court cases or appeals. Only the privileged Djokovic….like I said a joke! He’ll never be Nadal or Federer no matter how many Slams he wins. He’ll only be remembered as that other guy. If he got the jab none of this would have transpired but nooooo he’s special! I’ll party when he’s on the next plane out!
Muzzo
Roar Rookie
Pity, that he's so ignorant towards other nations policies during these times. Well, in his case, apart from being selfish & inconsiderate towards others, we just can't help stupidity!!!
Jacko
Roar Rookie
Well give me more details around Novaks involvement in these atrocities and tell me exactly what his mother has said and done over her lifetime so you can prove she hasnt fought for human rights on those issues you mention. Seems like you want to blame the Djokovics for a hell of a lot. Thats ignorant if I ever saw ignorant.
NSWelshman
Roar Rookie
Lolol late you can tell by the way Jacko writes he’s a child!
NSWelshman
Roar Rookie
Grow up mate! I’m ignorant. Your reply is totally ignorant! Explain how I’m ignorant.
Paulo
Roar Rookie
It wasn’t meant to, I was just clarifying something, because when I state something and then realise I’m wrong, I own up to it. Certain people on here should really learn to do the same.
jameswm
Roar Guru
Another straw man comment. You are replying to something I didn't say. Whether he plays in other slams has nothing to do with us, Did you not see what macron said? You know calling someone a hater is a teenage thing?
jameswm
Roar Guru
The Spanish said not only did he not have an exemption, he also hasn't even applied for one. A bit hard to get an exemption if you don't apply, isn't it Jacko? So tell me again why I have to "stop saying that"?
Jacko
Roar Rookie
I dont see the sun shining out of anywhere Sheek but I also dont see what difference having him in Aus is going to make. He's been sent home now so is Aus now no longer a risk of Covid? Thats total BS and you know that. Will his departure now mean we can open up again? Will it stop the spread? No!!! How many non vaccinated people have come into Aus in the past 2 years Sheek? Im hearing figures around 20,000+ so is Novak, who will isolate way beyond what most can afford, a threat? Its beyond a joke and another example of social pressures gone mad. I do not want Social media governing us and knowing you from these pages neither do you.
sheek
Roar Guru
Jacko, I normally don't give a stuff about populist views, which you should know. However, on this issue I'm supported by probably 90% of Aussies. I don't care if you're one of the few who thinks the sun shines out of Djoker's bum.
Jacko
Roar Rookie
Sheek That certainly aint a decent arguement. Am I just supposed to accept your draconian views because you believe you are right? What has Novak being in Aus done to harm the country? We weirdly seem to be having record numbers of Covid in many places Novak has never been with 17000 in QLD in one day yesterday. This incorrect view that keeping one tennis player out will save the world is a fallacy and if the law says he can stay then blame the law makers not him. The Hatred ( Its way above dislike ) is a reflection of a grubby society where being offended is the new passtime. How will his entry into Aus effect you? Yet here you are going off like a prawn in the sun. have a beer and settle down.
Redcap
Roar Guru
:laughing:
sheek
Roar Guru
Jacko, There is a huge, huge, huge, huge, huge, huge, huge, huge difference between hate & dislike. Anything you may have said that made a modicum of sense has been completely ruined by that massive assumption. Red card for you!
WINSTON
Roar Rookie
Australians seem to love their police state. Leave them to it, this tennis major should be moved to a non brainwashed democratic country. Enough now, no reason why Novax should have to vax against his will. A sportsman in his prime with far superior sports science advice compared to the multitude of low iq fascist commentators. (I am fully vaxed, voluntarily, my choice, Novax is fully entitled to his choice. Withdraw the Aus open major accreditation until the country learns to respect individual rights!
Jacko
Roar Rookie
Novak is here to play tennis. The govt has effed this up. No one else. Sheek. So you want to punish a guy just because you hate him. Im so glad we have laws to protect this sort of actions. Try thinking for yourself before the Govt outlaws it.