Novak Djokovic debacle must be subject to independent review, says Victorian opposition

Pressure is mounting for an independent inquiry into how unvaccinated world No.1 Novak Djokovic entered Australia.

Novak Djokovic was deported because he was unvaccinated. Picture: AFP

An independent inquiry into how unvaccinated world number one Novak Djokovic entered Australia has been demanded.

It comes as it is understood the Victorian state government was “furious” at the way the saga was handled.

And questions have been raised whether under-siege Tennis Australia boss Craig Tiley should step away from presenting the winner trophies this weekend.

Tiley was booed at Sam Stosur’s presentation, throwing a cloud over her farewell last week.

“We support a proper independent review to get to the bottom of this mess and to make sure it doesn’t happen again,” Victorian opposition major events spokesman David Southwick said.

“Victoria’s reputation as the events capital is on the line when bungles like this occur.

“After everything Victorians have gone through, special exemption treatment to a tennis star was a kick in the guts.”

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Craig Tiley was booed when he presented flowers Sam Stosur. Picture: Getty Images

Victorian taxpayers have spent $1bn turning Melbourne Park into a series of world class stadiums, securing the tournament until at least 2036.

Djokovic entered Australia on a medical exemption signed off by a Victorian Government health panel.

However, Tennis Australia did not pass on a letter it received from Health Minister Greg Hunt in November that clearly stated a prior infection would not be enough to get a medical exemption to enter Australia.

A source claimed the state government was angry it had been kept in the dark.

“They were furious,” the source said.

Djokovic was deported after federal Immigration Minister Alex Hawke cancelled his visa for three years.

He lost a court appeal against the decision and was returned to Serbia after spending 12 days in Australia.

An earlier court hearing had backed Djokovic but Mr Hawke used his sweeping powers to boot him out.

Novak Djokovic was deported because he was unvaccinated. Picture: AFP

The headlines put a spotlight on the running of the event, raising fears it could jeopardise its future.

Martin Pakula, Victoria’s sports and major events Minister, denied that the tournament was under threat.

“We have seen incredible tennis over the past two weeks, and we’re not remotely concerned about the future of the Australian Open at the world’s best tennis precinct. A precinct which is better than it has ever been,” he said.

Mr Pakula did not push for a separate review of the Djokovic scandal.

“Tennis Australia is an independent national sporting organisation and it will manage its event debrief as it sees fit, in the normal way,” Mr Pakula said.

A Tennis Australia spokeswoman confirmed both Tiley and board chair Jane Hrdlicka would be part of the trophy presentations, which was the usual procedure.

“In relation to the lead up to and assessment of the AO (Australian Open), as we’ve said we’ll do a thorough review and event debrief as we do every year once the tournament is complete to take on board any lessons learnt and areas for improvement, and we’ll involve all relevant stakeholders in that process as we do each year,” she said.