Novak Djokovic: The Australian government failed to try to delay the tennis star’s visa hearing

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A judge will decide whether Djokovic’s visa – which was canceled last week – should be returned, according to ITV news correspondent Martha Fairley.

The Australian government has failed in an attempt to delay the hearing on Novak Djokovic’s visa until after the Australian Open draw.

Judge Anthony Kelly, in an order published on Sunday, refused Home Affairs Secretary Karen Andrews’ submission on Saturday to adjourn Monday’s hearing to Wednesday.

But the judge left the government the option of submitting another request for an adjournment on Monday.

The Federal Circuit Court heard on Thursday that Australian tennis said it would need to know on Tuesday for scheduling purposes if the world number one can compete in the Australian Open.

However, Kelly insisted at the time that the court would not be in a hurry, adding: “The tail won’t wagging the dog here.”

Djokovic’s lawyers have claimed that the Serb was granted a vaccination exemption to enter Australia because he contracted Covid-19 last month.

However, the Australian government disputes this assertion, adding that “there is no indication that the applicant was suffering from ‘acute acute medical illness’ in December 2021”.

It also states: “All he said was that he tested positive for Covid-19.”

The documents also claim that the government did not tell Djokovic that “a so-called medical exemption will be accepted”.

Supporters of Novak Djokovic dance and sing outside the hotel where he is being held. Credit: AP

In court documents published on Saturday, Djokovic is reported to have tested positive on December 16, and had not had a fever or respiratory symptoms for COVID-19 in the past 72 hours.

Immigration attorney Christopher Livingston told ITV News: “If the decision is against Mr Djokovic, he may appeal that decision, but in the interim Mr Djogovic does not have a visa and the only person who can grant him a visa is the minister and it is unlikely that the minister would grant him a visa to be at large. in the community while this matter is being discussed before the courts.”

Djokovic has been held at an immigration facility in Melbourne since Thursday morning after his visa was revoked after a scrutiny of the medical exemption he was granted to travel to the first major tennis of the year. According to his legal team, Djokovic was also provided with a letter from Tennis Australia’s chief medical officer stating that he has been given a medical exemption from the Covid vaccine. The exemption certificate is alleged to have been “submitted by an independent expert medical review panel commissioned by Tennis Australia”, and that “the decision of that panel has been reviewed and endorsed by the Victorian Government’s Independent Medical Exemption Review Committee”.

Refugees are being held in the same hotel as world number one tennis player Novak Djokovic. Credit: AP

Djokovic’s lawyers added that he obtained an “Australian travel permit” because the authorities informed him of it [he met] Requirements to arrive in Australia without quarantine.” On Friday, it emerged that two other people linked to the tournament had joined Djokovic in being instructed to leave the country by the Australian Border Force. Djokovic, 34, was instructed to stay at the Melbourne Park Hotel, which is used to house seekers Asylum and Refugees, ahead of Monday’s session.He broke his silence on Instagram, saying: “Thank you to people around the world for your continued support. I can feel it and it is very much appreciated.”

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