Immigration Minister Alex Hawke has officially cancelled the visa of tennis star Novak Djokovic, stating it was in the “public interest to do so”.
Minister Hawke made the bombshell announcement on Friday afternoon, detailing how he used his ministerial powers to cancel the World Number One’s visa for a second time.
It comes just days after the Federal Circuit Court ruled in favour of the Serbian tennis champ remaining in the country.
“Today I exercised my power 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,” Mr Hawke said.
“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.
“I thank the officers of the Department of Home Affairs and the Australian Border Force who work every day to serve Australia’s interests in increasingly challenging operational environments.”
The tennis star’s lawyers are expected to appeal the decision.
However, if they are unsuccessful, Mr Djokovic will be booted out of the country and banned from returning for three years.
It all but ends Djokovic’s hopes of defending his Australian Open title, with the tournament set to get underway in Melbourne on Monday.
