Australian government cancels Novak Djokovic's visa

In what can be called a major development, Novak Djokovic's visa has been cancelled by the Australian government. The Tennis star's visa battle now seems to be a never-ending affair. Thus, his visa getting cancelled raises more doubts about his participation in the first grand slam of 2022.

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It is to be noted that the world number one Tennis player had initially won his court appeal against the cancellation of his visa, but the Australian government said that it would continue to find ways to deport him. As a matter of fact, Alex Hawkee, who happens to be Australia’s immigration minister, himself made the decision.

Thus, this means that Djokovic will be banned from the country for three years. The cancellation issued by Hawke got classified as an adverse decision under 133C(3). This means that Djokovic cannot be granted another visa while offshore for three years.

“Today I exercised my power under section 133C (3) of the Migration Act to cancel the visa held by Mr Novak Djokovic on health and good order grounds, on the basis that it was in the public interest to do so,” said Immigration Minister Alex Hawke in a statement.

 He also stated that he “carefully considered” the information provided to him. “This decision followed orders by the Federal Circuit and Family Court on 10 January 2022, quashing a prior cancellation decision on procedural fairness grounds. In making this decision, I carefully considered information provided to me by the Department of Home Affairs, the Australian Border Force and Mr Djokovic. The Morrison Government is firmly committed to protecting Australia’s borders, particularly in relation to the COVID-19 pandemic,” the statement further read.

However, there are a few exceptions granted in “certain circumstances,” and the Serbian star might look to challenge the decision against him. This visa war has led to contrasting opinions by several people. Various famous personalities have given their opinion on this battle between the Tennis legend and the Australian government mostly supporting the Australian government to report Djokovic given the COVID-19 circumstances.