Google News Immigration Minister 'thoroughly considering' Novak Djokovic's visa cancellation
by DZEVAD MESIC | VIEW 6849
Australian Immigration Minister Alex Hawke is still weighing up whether to use his discretionary powers and cancel Novak Djokovic's visa. Djokovic's visa was cancelled by the Australian Border Force upon his arrival to Australia.
Djokovic appealed the decision and on Monday the judge reinstated Djokovic's visa. However, the Djokovic visa drama still isn't over as Immigration Minister Hawke could use his discretionary powers to revoke the visa of the world No.
1. "In line with due process, Minister Hawke will thoroughly consider the matter," the spokesman said, per 7news.
Hawke to decide himself what to do in the Djokovic case
Victoria Premier Daniel Andrews stated that it's up to Hawke to decide what to do in the Djokovic case.
“The issue of who gets into the country and their vaccination status is not an issue for state governments,” Andrews responded, when asked if he stood by his statement last year that anyone who wanted to come to Australia as part of the tournament should be fully vaccinated.
“I don’t issue visas, the Commonwealth Government does that. There’s a court ruling, whether that’s appealed is a matter for the Commonwealth Government. If the Immigration Minister wants to use his extraordinary powers, that’s a matter for him.
“I don’t want to offer comment on that. I stand by our comments. We have not sought to, in fact quite the opposite, we have not sought to convince the Commonwealth Government to allow anyone else. Quite the opposite”.
"He ought to do that free of any pressure, free of any public debate." On Monday, Djokovic said he was pleased and grateful after the judge reinstated his visa. "I'm pleased and grateful that the judge overturned my visa cancellation," Djokovic wrote on social media following the federal court's decision.
"Despite all that has happened, I want to stay and try to compete at the Australian Open. I remain focused on that."