Key reasons why Novak Djokovic’s visa was cancelled by Australia’s Immigration Minister are revealed

The key reasons behind Novak Djokovic’s visa cancellation have been revealed with Immigration Minister Alex Hawke saying his presence in Australia may ‘foster anti-vaccination sentiment’.

The world No.1 was detained by Border Force following an interview at a secret location hours on Saturday morning before his lawyers began his court battle to fight his deportation.

His case will be heard again on 9.30am on Sunday morning and has been moved to the Federal Court of Australia. 

Mr Hawke announced on Friday he had cancelled the Serbian tennis star’s visa for a second time citing a long list of reasons including that Djokovic showed an ‘apparent disregard’ to isolate following a positive test result.

‘I consider that Mr Djokovic’s ongoing presence in Australia may lead to an increase in anti-vaccination sentiment generated in the Australian community, potentially leading to an increase in civil unrest of the kind previously experienced in Australia with rallies and protests which may themselves be a source of community transmission,’ Mr Hawke said as seen in court documents.

He added that Djokovic’s stance on vaccinations may lead to others refusing to get jabbed, and reinforcing the beliefs of the unvaxxed. 

Mr Hawke also referenced an interview the tennis star had with a French publication, two days after testing positive to Covid. Djokovic earlier addressed the matter and said it was an ‘error of judgement’.

‘Given Mr Djokovic’s high profile status and position as a role model in the sporting and broader community, his ongoing presence in Australia may foster similar disregard for the precautionary requirements following receipt of a positive COVID-19 test in Australia,’ the immigration minister said. 

Djokovic also posed a ‘risk to the good order of the Australian community’, Mr Hawke said. 

More to come