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> Should they accept that a tennis star gets the leeway they were denied? It seems Djokovic went through all the proper channels to get an exemption and visa.

> Should they accept that a tennis star gets the leeway they were denied? It seems Djokovic went through all the proper channels to get an exemption and visa. Australia's institutions gave him a visa. The real exemption is that a minister is disregarding Australia's institutions and cancelling his visa because "feelings". Australia needs to take a hard look at their laws and the way they treat their citizens instead of creating a high profile scapegoat.

tim333 5y ago
He lied to immigration on a form saying very clearly that it was a serious offence to lie on that one.
askvictor 5y ago
There's also the issue of the immigration department seemingly not properly scrutinizing the application, as well as Djokovic lying on the application forms. But most likely this is all an intentionally concocted distraction from government's failings in the current outbreak.
- Mikeb85 5y ago
  So how did he win his first court challenge? Why aren't those institutions being scrutinized? Where's the proof he faked his documents and why isn't that alone cause for Australia's institutions to not have issued a visa? Why did it take a last-minute act from a minister to revoke his visa?
  - rblatz 5y ago
    Because of a minor procedural misstep. Had they waited an additional hour, they would have been in the clear.
  - manicdee 5y ago
    Some of the proof that he faked his visa application is claiming he is vaccinated when he is not, and claiming he had not travelled in the week before boarding the plane when he had documented a trip to Spain while COVID-positive. The Spanish government is now investigating whether Novak Djokovic travelled to Spain illegally, so there’s more legal shenanigans waiting for him when he eventually gets home. The reason none of this resulted in his visa being refused in the first place is that the Australian tennis folks are buddy-buddy with the Prime Minister’s folks, and the unofficial ministerial guidelines are that if there’s an event associated with government cronies then all stops are pulled.
    - hilbert42 5y ago
      "event associated with government cronies then all stops are pulled." No doubt very true for the first round. On the second when things go belly-up, as here, they'll scatter like wildebeest being chased by a lion. The second time usually brings unwelcome exposure and much else.
      - manicdee 5y ago
        No, this lot have learned that there are zero consequences for being openly lazy and corrupt. They broadcast their intent to pork barrel and people vote for them because of that.

tim333 5y ago

He lied to immigration on a form saying very clearly that it was a serious offence to lie on that one.

askvictor 5y ago

There's also the issue of the immigration department seemingly not properly scrutinizing the application, as well as Djokovic lying on the application forms. But most likely this is all an intentionally concocted distraction from government's failings in the current outbreak.

Mikeb85 5y ago
So how did he win his first court challenge? Why aren't those institutions being scrutinized? Where's the proof he faked his documents and why isn't that alone cause for Australia's institutions to not have issued a visa? Why did it take a last-minute act from a minister to revoke his visa?
- rblatz 5y ago
  Because of a minor procedural misstep. Had they waited an additional hour, they would have been in the clear.
- manicdee 5y ago
  Some of the proof that he faked his visa application is claiming he is vaccinated when he is not, and claiming he had not travelled in the week before boarding the plane when he had documented a trip to Spain while COVID-positive. The Spanish government is now investigating whether Novak Djokovic travelled to Spain illegally, so there’s more legal shenanigans waiting for him when he eventually gets home. The reason none of this resulted in his visa being refused in the first place is that the Australian tennis folks are buddy-buddy with the Prime Minister’s folks, and the unofficial ministerial guidelines are that if there’s an event associated with government cronies then all stops are pulled.
  - hilbert42 5y ago
    "event associated with government cronies then all stops are pulled." No doubt very true for the first round. On the second when things go belly-up, as here, they'll scatter like wildebeest being chased by a lion. The second time usually brings unwelcome exposure and much else.
    - manicdee 5y ago
      No, this lot have learned that there are zero consequences for being openly lazy and corrupt. They broadcast their intent to pork barrel and people vote for them because of that.