Djokovic visa cancellation overruled but he still faces deportation
The saga down-under, involving world number one tennis superstar Novak Djokovic desperately trying to compete in the Australian Open despite the politically charged actions of the pro-lockdown, pro-vaccine mandate Australian Government, has seen some major developments in such a short space of time.
Judge Anthony Kelly overturned the Government’s decision to cancel his visa at a court hearing in Melbourne, permitting the Serbian to compete in the tournament and granting him a chance of retaining the title. Earlier today, Djokovic reiterated his unyielding desire to play in the Grand Slam in a post on Twitter.
However, the Australian Government still has a silver bullet left in its arsenal which it may use as a last resort to prevent Djokovic from reaching the court and expelling him from the country. The Immigration Minister Alex Hawke, who is a close friend and political ally of the anti-Djokovic Prime Minister Scott Morrison, has the power to override the court’s decision (how’s that for a separation of powers?).
Sending Djokovic on a one-way flight out of the country can be legitimated by the state through declaring the 20-time Grand Slam winner as a ‘threat to public health’ (in a country which has embraced the bio-security state with open arms), or that his deportation would be in the public interest – a catch-all-term which justifies any state action.
If the Government is deadest on not letting an unvaccinated, non-conformist sportsman parade around one of its most proudest cities, then I don’t think Djokovic stands a chance. These next few days – or even hours – will be monumental in shaping the future of sport in the bio-security state.