The world’s No.1 tennis player and the greatest performer at the Australian Open was sensationally deported and had his visa torn up.
It was the wrong decision. Yes, I am happily vaccinated and will get my third dose as soon as possible but the simple fact is I cannot help but feel sorry for Novak Djokovic.
Yes, he attended a photo shoot and interview while infected with COVID-19 and that is one mistake on his behalf other than not getting vaccinated.
Upon further inspection, Djokovic has every right to be here and be upset about how it all played out.
Djokovic was first granted a visa by the Australian government knowing his circumstances.
He then was given approval by Tennis Australia, who had two independent panels of medical experts who viewed his case anonymously. That was then reviewed by the state government.
Both the Victorian government and Tennis Australia released this statement on new year’s day: “Djokovic applied for a medical exemption which was granted following a rigorous review process involving two separate independent panels of medical experts”.
(Photo by Darrian Traynor/Getty Images)
On January 2, he was granted by the Victorian government a border travel permit. So before he even set foot on Australian soil, he was given approvals by Tennis Australia and the Victorian government plus a visa by the Federal government.
Why would Djokovic fly halfway across the globe to leave family behind where he cannot celebrate Orthodox Christmas with them if he did not get assurances he would be allowed to play?
Why make him to go live in detention, win a court appeal, and have his visa cancelled a second time if he was never a chance of playing?
Just say it from the get go and avoid this entire circus all together.
Scott Morrison took no time tweeting “rules are the rules” but Morrison forgot one tiny caveat: Djokovic broke no rules or laws at all.
In effect, immigration minister Alex Hawke even admitted Djokovic was here with a valid medical exemption so essentially he did not break laws or rules.
Hawke also conceded that Djokovic poses a minimal threat to society in spreading the virus.
The prime minster’s tweet after the appeal hearing said: “he welcomes the deportation of Djokovic to keep Australians safe”.
(Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)
Dr John Goldman, infectious disease specialist, said the following: “but what I will tell you we’re seeing is with Omicron, we’re seeing a lot of breakthrough infections in vaccinated individuals, fewer breakthrough infections in people who are vaccinated and have had a booster, and we’re also beginning to see, though at a lesser rate, people who are reinfected with COVID”.
So Djokovic has a very low chance of being infected and being a threat to the community.
In fact, my sister just recovered from COVID and she received a clearance letter that she does not need to be vaccinated or get a booster for six weeks.
Why is that? Surely Djokovic fits under this? It looks like the same sort of logic is not being applied.
The main reason his visa was cancelled was “his presence in Australia could excite anti-vaccination sentiment”.
Is playing tennis in a state with 93 per cent double dose vaccination rates such a large threat to society?
Do you really think by allowing him to play, he will really encourage people not to get vaccinated?
Do some base their decision to be vaccinated on whether he can play in a tennis tournament or not?
Do some think ‘I will only get vaxed if Djokovic is deported?’
If so, will it be enough people to have an actual difference in a state with 93 per cent double dose rates.
Do you honestly feel safer that he is no longer in the country?
(Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)
Furthermore Djokovic made these anti-vax statements in a BBC article published in 2020, before last year’s Australian Open.
In 2021, why was he allowed in the country then? If he had strong anti-vax sentiments before then, did his presence then cause such a great anti-vax movement in Australia?
Of course not. Australia is among one of the most vaccinated nations worldwide.
There are thousands of people in Australia roaming the streets freely un-vaxed. Is that such a threat to the Australian public?
As the immigration minister, power is broad and much is left to his discretion. It was always an uphill challenge to have his visa cancellation overturned.
No doubt kicking out the world’s No.1 tennis player is a great power move to show the world we are hard on our borders, especially in an election year.
It gives the appearance of strength by the prime minister, even when members in his own party – in particular George Christensen, who has promoted some wild conspiracies – still face no consequences.
Yes, of course Djokovic should have done what the majority of the world has done and get vaccinated and stop this circus.
But he should have not been given the impression of being allowed to gain a visa, be given an exemption and later be cancelled based on a justification, which is dubious at best, when he broke no laws to begin with.
Shadi
Guest
Not sure why you are calling objective and factual reporting "juvenile"?
Shadi
Guest
Looking at this with no bias Djokovic deserved to play, he was here legally as the Immagaration Minister said so. He was deported as he is will deemed as a power move by the Prime Minsister to deport the world number 1 tennis player in an election year. Anyone else saying Novak was here illegally is simply lying to you.
ForeverBok
Roar Rookie
The Australian Open is bigger than Djokovic. Good riddance.
Paulo
Roar Rookie
You heard what you wanted to hear, not what was actually said. He said that for the time, he is willing to assume it was valid. That is quite different to saying, it was absolutely valid, especially in a court. It allowed them to move on from that point without having to argue it.
Ball Burster
Roar Rookie
Sheek I think you are right, broadly. My only quibble is that "the Feds" in question are the every day ABF people on the frontline who give a traveller's documentation a quick once over. Clearly a few AO types had already got through with the magic words "medical exemption" on them. ND's instagram post raised a red flag for someone and I'm prepared to bet it was a public servant and not a Minister.
Chief
Guest
Scott Morrison admitted he did, the government sent him a letter approving him his exemption. You seem like someone who will argue the sky is yellow just ignore facts right in your face.
Harry I
Guest
The Prime Minster and Immagration Minster both said he had legal medical exemption right from the horses mouth. How much more proof you need.
Chief
Guest
Even in court the SC for the Australian Government admitted the they sent a letter to Djokovic approving him of his exemption. Its black and white really. Unless you believe the lawyer's of Australian government lying you have no legs to stand on Son of Coco.
Joe Pollock
Guest
I'm having a feeling your straight out trolling "Son of Coco" , The Australian Prime Minster and Immagration Minster both have stated one way or the other he had a valid medical exemption. If your not willing to take their word and deny the clear evidence you must be just geeing us up. I feel like I speaking to someone who is a flat earther who despite all evidence to the contrary continue to state unsubstantiated comments.
Son of Coco
Guest
Except, the federal government and ATAGI both say otherwise. So, not really a 100% unequivocal fact. Let me guess, you are going to quote that passage in the smh as your "proof"?
Son of Coco
Guest
Oh, well if Craig Tiley said so he must be right. I didn't realise he was CEO of CA and a senior civil servant in the department of immigration. God you are dumb.
Emperor
Guest
It's a 100% unequivocal fact the Djokovic had a valid legal exemption as per Australian Immigration Minster, Victorian Government and ATAGI. Its like saying 2+2=5.
Paulo
Roar Rookie
(Sigh) no it doesn’t. It basically says for the purposes of time, he isn’t going to argue the point. We know his exemption is based on pre-infection, and we know that that is not considered acceptable grounds. Hawke just didn’t want to argue that fact, as it would take time and get messy with all the he said she said rubbish.
Paulo
Roar Rookie
“Anyone saying that Djokovic didn’t have a valid medical exemption is simply denying reality.” But… he didn’t? The government has stated past infection is not valid. No one is disputing that fact.
Paulo
Roar Rookie
Also the law of entry requirements, which he didn’t meet… so you know…
Paulo
Roar Rookie
“Djokovic was here legally” 100% objectivity, it is a requirement to be fully vaccinated to enter Aus if you are not a citizen or PR. Novak is not vaccinated. It really should be as simple as that.
Kiera
Guest
I have a feeling most people just do not like Djokovic as anyone who is objective and just analyse this case on its merits knows that Djokovic was here legally and fans and media backlash was the main reason his visa was cancelled. If this was Federer, or Nadal they would of gotten much less public outcry as he is more likeable and popular , as a qualified psychologist we are more inclined to be more lenient and find judications for people we like and more harsh to people we do not like , I have seen many examples of this and the public reactions proves my point.
Son of Coco
Guest
Sigh, again, the government admitted nothing. You are desperately wrong and it's painfully clear you didn't read any submission. https://www.fedcourt.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0007/95236/Sealed-Affidavit-Bannister-1512022.pdf"I will therefore proceed on the assumption in his his favour that he poses a 'negligible' risk." "I am willing to assume, in the time available, that Mr Djokovic has a medical reason for not being vaccinated""I will also assume that Mr Djokovic entered Australia consistently with ATAGI documents.""For present purposes, I will assume that Mr Djokovic's position is correct rather than seeking to get to the bottom of this here."At NO stage has the minister conceded anything. The assumptions were for the interests of time. And critically, NO admissions. NO precedent has been set, and if Djokovic tried again next week, he would still be banned. They are direct quotes from the horses mouth. I don't mind people sharing opinions, but you are plucking yours from thin air without any knowledge behind it.
Son of Coco
Guest
Judging by your level of intelligence, I think the govt was right to keep you out.
Son of Coco
Guest
Lol. Ok.