World3 min(s) read
Published 13:48 17 Jan 2022 GMT
Further details have emerged regarding Novak Djokovic's recent deportation from the country.
On Sunday (January 16), the 34-year-old tennis star was deported from the country after officials canceled Djokovic's visa - for a second time - on "health and good order" grounds. Despite a last-ditch court appeal to remain in Australia, a three-judge panel unanimously rejected Djokovic's defense team's claims that the reasoning for deporting the star was "invalid and illogical.
In a statement on Friday, Hawke said: "Mr Novak Djokovic on health and good order grounds, on the basis that it was in the public interest to do so."
Hawke added that "Australians have made many sacrifices during this pandemic, and they rightly expect the result of those sacrifices to be protected."
The 20-time Grand Slam champion was spotted being escorted by Australian Federal Police at Melbourne Airport at 8:30PM (local time) on Sunday. As he touched down in Dubai en route to Europe, the Australian Open started without him.
Djokovic's deportation means he will be unable to defend his Australian Open title - and will further prevent him from attempting to win a record 21st Grand Slam. And it would seem that the consequences could extend into future Australian Open tournaments as well.
As reported by the Daily Mail, on Monday, Australia's Home Affairs Minister Karen Andrews told The Today Show that Djokovic's removal from the country also comes with a three-year ban.
"The visa was canceled by Minister Hawke,' Andrews said, before adding:
"That cancellation was upheld by the Federal Court, so as a result of that, he will be banned from entry for three years into the country."
Andrews added that the tennis pro may be able to return to the country in the near future, but that would require compelling reasoning and is "all hypothetical at this point".
Andrews doubled down on her comments during a second appearance on Sunrise, saying: "The three-year ban does apply and it will be in place, but it can be dealt with at some stage in the future."
This sentiment was echoed by Australian prime minister Scott Morrison.
As reported by The Independent, PM Morrison has downplayed the severity of Djokovic's punishment, saying that the three-year ban could be adjusted under the "right circumstances" and will be reviewed at some point in the future.
"It does go over a three-year period, but there is the opportunity for [a person] to return in the right circumstances, and that will be considered at the time," Morrison told 2GB radio on Monday.
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