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Mr Hawke is separately considering whether to cancel Djokovic’s visa on the grounds that prior infection of COVID-19 in the past six months is not a valid exemption for being unvaccinated. But Mr Hawke could also consider whether to cancel the Serbian star’s visa on character grounds,informed by the Home Affairs probe.
Mr Hawke has been expected to make a decision on Thursday about whether to cancel Novak Djokovic’s visa. He and his office had been shutting themselves off from the wider government,wanting to be seen to be going through the process independently.
If a decision is made to deport the Serbian tennis star,his lawyers will probably file an injunction against the decision. If the Federal Circuit Court can’t sit on Friday,this would mean the court process could drag on until next week when the Australian Open is due to begin.
It is unclear whether Djokovic would be forced back into immigration detention immediately,but considering he wouldn’t have a visa this would likely be the case unless he promises to get on the next flight home.
Djokovic admitted on Wednesday he conducted a photo shoot and interview with a French journalist two days after he tested positive to COVID-19,prompting criticism from the International Tennis Writers Association.
“The news that Novak Djokovic did not tell one of our members – and the rest of theL’Equipe team on the day – that he had tested positive for COVID-19 is deeply concerning,” the association wrote in a statement.
“As journalists,we take great care to adhere to all COVID-19 rules in place,and we would expect all players to do the same. Furthermore,it should be noted that journalists have to be fully vaccinated to travel to Melbourne for this year’s Australian Open.”
Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic said he would not publicly pursue anti-vaxxers but that he was proud Serbia was able to help Novak Djokovic. “We did our job. Our job was to help the citizens of Serbia,and I am proud that we were able to help one of our best sportspeople in a professional manner,” Vucic told state broadcaster Radio-Television of Serbia in a studio interview conducted early on Thursday (AEST).
He said he had spoken to Djokovic,whom he has known for a long time,a few times in recent days.
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“I’m not sure he always agrees with everything I do,” Mr Vucic said. “I am a man who believes that it is necessary that people are vaccinated. I will even take the fourth[COVID-19 vaccine]. I think that has saved thousands of lives in this country. I am not the kind of person to lead the chase against those who don’t want to get vaccinated.”
Australia’s federal Opposition Leader Anthony Albanese attacked the Morrison government’s handling of the tennis star’s visa.
“How is it that a ... visa was granted in the first place?” he said. “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.”