COVID-19 and Tennis

Do you think there are any countries where he plays that will not know he was deported from AU? So glad he has gone.
The answer is clearly no - the worldwide coverage has been remarkable. But that doesn't remove the need to answer questions (or human error!)
 
The Frequent Flyer Concierge team takes the hard work out of finding reward seat availability. Using their expert knowledge and specialised tools, they'll help you book a great trip that maximises the value for your points.

AFF Supporters can remove this and all advertisements

Yes
Tennis Australia
Vic Govt
Fed Govt

No one comes away with clean hands.

As usual Chairman Dan slips through without scrutiny
While I appreciate your opinion of the Victorian premier, this debacle can only be sheeted home to the federal government, notwithstanding the actions of TA. Victorian government has nothing to do with visa entry to Australia much as they may wish.
 
Judging by Emmanel’s recent liberal use of
‘p-ss off the unvaccinated‘ I doubt that will stand.
In many ways it may set a standard that a pandemic requires a serious response by everyone - even if TA was actually working to support the joker
.. and then there’s those pesky visa issues
FYI the French Sports Minister went public to comment they would not stop Djokovic......that was a few days ago, but after the French President made that remarks. So it remains to be seen where they stand now this instance has been decided (along with the social media frenzy)
 
While I appreciate your opinion of the Victorian premier, this debacle can only be sheeted home to the federal government, notwithstanding the actions of TA. Victorian government has nothing to do with visa entry to Australia much as they may wish.
Except that the second Medical Tribunal was supposedly set up by the Victorian Government and this was used by TA to mislead players.
The Feds put it to TA twice that recent covid was not a valid reason for exemption.
Electronic visas are basically issued on trust and doesn't guarantee entrance if you don't meet the conditions on the visa.
So whoever gave him the exemption is the culprit. and it certainly wasn't the Federal Government.
 
Except that the second Medical Tribunal was supposedly set up by the Victorian Government and this was used by TA to mislead players.
The Feds put it to TA twice that recent covid was not a valid reason for exemption.
Electronic visas are basically issued on trust and doesn't guarantee entrance if you don't meet the conditions on the visa.
So whoever gave him the exemption is the culprit. and it certainly wasn't the Federal Government.
Yes, TA misled players. No argument. The Victorian government were not responsible and never received the negative advice from the Feds. TA punted on black, spun the wheel and lost on red. Feds granted the visa. The exemption was only valid for entry to the AO, not Australia.

Blame lies with Djokovic ignoring double vaccination rules and trying to game the system, TA for misleading players, and Feds for playing politics to distract from Covid, RATS and etc.
 
Except that the second Medical Tribunal was supposedly set up by the Victorian Government and this was used by TA to mislead players.
The Feds put it to TA twice that recent covid was not a valid reason for exemption.
Electronic visas are basically issued on trust and doesn't guarantee entrance if you don't meet the conditions on the visa.
So whoever gave him the exemption is the culprit. and it certainly wasn't the Federal Government.
We certainly don't have all the facts. Perhaps the Vic panel was to also assist players get an immigration individual exemption (on top of 408 visa and the Australian travel declaration) from Border Force under the following:

Individual exemptions can be requested by travellers who are not holders of an eligible visa or who are unvaccinated, holding any visa type.

You may be considered for an individual travel exemption by the Commissioner of the Australian Border Force or decision makers if you are:
  • ...
  • a foreign national whose entry into Australia would be in the national interest, supported by the Australian Government or a state or territory government authority

And then before this 'plan' could be activated the Vic Government got cold feet?!

To me, it seems the visa was not issued with a view about vaccinated status (iirc Djokovic's 408 was issued in November!)
 
Sponsored Post

Struggling to use your Frequent Flyer Points?

Frequent Flyer Concierge takes the hard work out of finding award availability and redeeming your frequent flyer or credit card points for flights.

Using their expert knowledge and specialised tools, the Frequent Flyer Concierge team at Frequent Flyer Concierge will help you book a great trip that maximises the value for your points.

Ahhh - those words 'national interest' and 'compelling and compassionate'

Novak Djokovic deported, could be banned from Australia for three years, but there is a loophole​


Novak Djokovic has had his visa cancelled and will play no part in the 2022 Australian Open. He will fly out of Australia on an Emirates flight to Dubai at 10.30pm.

But the consequences following his deportation could be far greater than just missing this year’s tournament.

The full court of the Federal Court of Australia ruled unanimously on Sunday to deport Djokovic after Immigration Minister Alex Hawke used his powers under section 133C (3) of the Migration Act to rescind the world number one’s visa. He cited “health” and “good order” grounds.

After an adverse decision under that part of the Migration Act, the affected person is unable to be granted a visa while offshore for a period of three years.

It means Djokovic could be barred from playing in the 2023 and 2024 Australian Opens as well.


Fear not, Djoker fans, as there is room for an exception to be made for him.

The three-year ban can be waived in certain situations, including compelling circumstances that affect the interests of Australia, or compassionate circumstances that affect the interests of an Australian citizen or permanent resident.

Obviously, Djokovic is not an Australian citizen or resident. So next year, or in 2023, he would likely petition the government with the argument that his presence at the Australian Open would help the national interest.

Whether that argument is true or not is a matter of opinion.



“Djokovic can apply to the government to ask for the ban to be waived on compelling and compassionate grounds. I imagine if he wants to play in next year’s Australian Open, he may apply,” former deputy secretary of the Immigration Department Abul Rizvi told The Project on Friday night.

“I suspect whoever is the minister would probably allow that.”

 
Ahhh - those words 'national interest' and 'compelling and compassionate'

Novak Djokovic deported, could be banned from Australia for three years, but there is a loophole​


Novak Djokovic has had his visa cancelled and will play no part in the 2022 Australian Open. He will fly out of Australia on an Emirates flight to Dubai at 10.30pm.

But the consequences following his deportation could be far greater than just missing this year’s tournament.

The full court of the Federal Court of Australia ruled unanimously on Sunday to deport Djokovic after Immigration Minister Alex Hawke used his powers under section 133C (3) of the Migration Act to rescind the world number one’s visa. He cited “health” and “good order” grounds.

After an adverse decision under that part of the Migration Act, the affected person is unable to be granted a visa while offshore for a period of three years.

It means Djokovic could be barred from playing in the 2023 and 2024 Australian Opens as well.


Fear not, Djoker fans, as there is room for an exception to be made for him.

The three-year ban can be waived in certain situations, including compelling circumstances that affect the interests of Australia, or compassionate circumstances that affect the interests of an Australian citizen or permanent resident.

Obviously, Djokovic is not an Australian citizen or resident. So next year, or in 2023, he would likely petition the government with the argument that his presence at the Australian Open would help the national interest.

Whether that argument is true or not is a matter of opinion.



“Djokovic can apply to the government to ask for the ban to be waived on compelling and compassionate grounds. I imagine if he wants to play in next year’s Australian Open, he may apply,” former deputy secretary of the Immigration Department Abul Rizvi told The Project on Friday night.

“I suspect whoever is the minister would probably allow that.”

And there will be a new minister by that time. If he/she is from Victoria, slam dunk!
 

Djokovic prepares to board​

Djokovic has left his hotel and now at Melbourne airport to catch his flight home in just over an hour's time.
The Serb has been pictured leaving the Marhaba Lounge, and his nightmare couple of weeks in Australia are finally drawing to a close.

Novak Djokovic


 
We certainly don't have all the facts. Perhaps the Vic panel was to also assist players get an immigration individual exemption (on top of 408 visa and the Australian travel declaration) from Border Force under the following:

Individual exemptions can be requested by travellers who are not holders of an eligible visa or who are unvaccinated, holding any visa type.

You may be considered for an individual travel exemption by the Commissioner of the Australian Border Force or decision makers if you are:
  • ...
  • a foreign national whose entry into Australia would be in the national interest, supported by the Australian Government or a state or territory government authority

And then before this 'plan' could be activated the Vic Government got cold feet?!

To me, it seems the visa was not issued with a view about vaccinated status (iirc Djokovic's 408 was issued in November!)
All neatly sidestepped by the farcical device of a ‘medical exemption.’
ATAGI NEVER advised past infection was a lifelong ‘get out of jail free card’ for antivaxxers.
ATAGI advises WHEN and HOW to get vaccinated if you cannot now.
NoVax never intended to have a vaccine.
ATAGI advice was consistent that vaccination was recommended with past history of Covid AND the exemption process to facilitate this happening.
TA attempting to read this otherwise and with medical support as proferred to the court .. I’ll let you draw your own conclusions.
IMHO it’s concerning to read it any other way
 
Last edited:
So there are several pictures of him in the Marhaba lounge at Melbourne this evening (including posted above).

I'm confused I thought there was a vaccine requirement that to access venues (which includes airline lounges) in Victoria you had to be vaccinated or had a *legit* exemption.
 
According to Shane McInnes, Djokovic under AFP escort in the lounge at Melbourne Airport ahead of his flight back to Europe via Dubai (Twitter)
 
So there are several pictures of him in the Marhaba lounge at Melbourne this evening (including posted above).

I'm confused I thought there was a vaccine requirement that to access venues (which includes airline lounges) in Victoria you had to be vaccinated or had a *legit* exemption.
Federal land/jurisdiction? Requirement is wear mask.....🤷‍♀️🤷‍♂️
 
I've just spotted another flaw in his Australian travel decleration... he said (or his agent) he was to spend 27 days in the country however it only ended up being 11.
 
I've just spotted another flaw in his Australian travel decleration... he said (or his agent) he was to spend 27 days in the country however it only ended up being 11.

I must say I am surprised that while there is so much coverage about his deportation, very little media coverage has went into exactly how much power the minister has to deport non-citizens (even PRs) and how people get locked in those hotels for months while waiting for their appeal through the courts, the Sunday session by Federal court in this case is the exception, not the norm.
 
Back
Top