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The Victorian prime minister says his state has no plans to apply for exemptions for unvaccinated tennis players to get into the country before the Australian Open.
Key points:
- The federal government says unvaccinated tennis players will be allowed into Australia, but states must ask for an exemption
- Victorian Prime Minister Daniel Andrews says his state will not make it easier for unvaccinated players to enter the country
- It comes after more than a week of mixed messages from state and federal ministers
His comments on Wednesday came after Prime Minister Scott Morrison said unvaccinated players could come to Australia provided they complied with state-imposed hotel quarantine requirements.
“The same rules apply to everyone, whether you’re a grand slam winner, a prime minister, a business traveler, a student or anyone. The same rules,” Morrison told Channel Seven.
“The states set the quarantine rules as they are.”
The prime minister’s announcement was a reversal to the unequivocal comments made last week by Federal Immigration Minister Alex Hawke that all travelers to Australia should be fully vaccinated.
Federal Health Minister Greg Hunt confirmed that unvaccinated players would enter Australia and be quarantined, but states must seek an exemption from international travel laws.
“However, they are subject to two weeks of quarantine and that is without fear or popularity,” Hunt said.
“If there is no bump in Victoria, no play policy, it is up to them to decide.”
However, Mr Andrews said Victoria did not intend to seek such an exemption.
“I’m not going to help them come here.
“Here again, it is a question of coherence. I fully supported Minister Hawke’s view, which I considered to be the view of the federal government. It seems that is not the case.”
Earlier this week, Victorian Sports Secretary Martin Pakula did not rule out the possibility of admitting unvaccinated players to the state, but said discussions on the tournament’s vaccination policy have not yet been completed.
The decision has added to the confusion over whether men’s world number one Novak Djokovic will be able to defend his 2020 Australian Open championship.
The Serbian star has refused to say whether he has been vaccinated or not.
The announcement from the Commonwealth came after an email leaked to WTA players suggested that unvaccinated players could travel to Australia.
Tennis Australia said in a statement that it is working with Victorian and federal governments on the terms of the players in the Australian Open 2022 tournament.
“We are optimistic that we can keep the Australian Open as close as possible to pre-pandemic conditions,” Tennis Australia said.
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