BIS REPETITA – The decision has fallen and it is not favorable to Novak Djokovic. Australian Immigration Minister Alex Hawke announced on Friday January 14 that he has exercised his discretionary power to cancel the Serb’s visa. The number 1’s participation in the Australian Open, which begins on Monday 17, is compromised.
Yohan ROBLIN –
Novak Djokovic expelled “by the first plane” ? Ridiculed, after the cancellation of its decision … to cancel the visa of the world number 1, the Australian government did not flinch. The authorization granted to the Serb to enter Australia was once again canceled by decision of Alex Hawke, the Australian Minister for Immigration, on Friday 14 January. “I have today exercised my authority under Section 133C(3) of the Migration Act (…) to cancel the visa held by Mr. Novak Djokovic for reasons of health and good order, on the grounds that it was in the public interest to do so”, he announced.
“In making this decision, I have carefully considered the information provided to me by the Home Office, the Australian Border Force and Mr Djokovic. The Morrison government is strongly committed to protecting Australia’s borders. Australia, particularly in relation to the Covid-19 pandemic”, added Alex Hawke, in a statement quoted by the Sydney Morning Herald, stating that the three-time defending champion in Melbourne, who had been included in the tournament table pending this announcement, risks a three-year ban. The Serb’s lawyers should appeal.
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Novak Djokovic at the Australian Open, a saga for a visa
The nature of this decision, which will have taken 96 hours to fall, after the release of “Djoko”, was hardly in doubt. Earlier in the day, another member of the government had reaffirmed the firmness of the Australian State, recalling that it would continue to apply the rule of banning entry to the unvaccinated. “This policy has not changed and we will continue to strictly enforce this policy”, Finance Minister Simon Birmingham had said on ABC television.
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A fast-track appeal?
All is not lost for Novak Djokovic, even if it is, let’s be honest, badly embarked. To allow him to participate in the Australian Open, where he is aiming for a 21st Grand Slam title, which would be an absolute record, his legal team will file an immediate injunction against the decision. The appeal hearing could be subject to an accelerated procedure and be held on Sunday January 16, on the eve of his entry into the running in Melbourne against his compatriot Miomir Kecmanovic. The case would then return to the office of Judge Anthony Kelly, who agreed with him, before being sent back to the Federal Court.
In the meantime, in the coming hours, “Nole”, who now finds himself without valid authorization to stay on Australian territory, could be forcibly returned to detention in a center for migrants. Federal authorities may choose to return him to the Park Hotel in Carlton, where he had been staying alongside refugees, following the first cancellation of his visa. A story without end.
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