Novak to stay another day as Immigration Minister mulls new submissions

Australia’s immigration minister has released a new statement as he weighs up whether to cancel tennis star Novak Djokovic’s visa.

A decision on whether Novak Djokovic will be deported from Australia has been put off for yet another day.

A spokesman for Alex Hawke said the Immigration Minister needed more time to evaluate the evidence provided by the tennis star’s team.

“Mr Djokovic‘s lawyers have recently provided lengthy further submissions and supporting documentation said to be relevant to the possible cancellation of Mr Djokovic’s visa,” they said.

“Naturally, this will affect the time frame for a decision.”

The world is waiting with bated breath for an announcement on whether Djokovic will be allowed to stay and play in the Australian Open.

In a statement posted to Instagram, Djokovic said he just wanted the opportunity to compete in the Grand Slam.

“I will not be making any further comment out of utmost respect for the Australian government and their authorities and the current process,” he said.

“It is always an honour and a privilege to play in the Australian Open. The Australian Open is much-loved by players, fans and the community, not just in Victoria and Australia, but around the globe.

“I just want to have the opportunity to compete against the best players in the world and perform before one of the best crowds in the world.”

The world no. 1 tennis player is vying for his 21st Grand Slam, but despite having been granted leave to stay in Australia, the Immigration Minister has the power to deport him.

Other ministers have not been involved in the process, with the power resting solely on Mr Hawke’s shoulders.

Novak Djokovic resumed his training in Melbourne on Wednesday ahead of the Australian open after it was ruled by a judge that his visa be reinstated.

Home Affairs Minister Karen Andrews has ruled out interfering in the decision.

“There is nothing I can say here today that may prejudice those processes, and whatever processes may well be in place,” Ms Andrews told 4BC radio.

“It is an ongoing matter. that is where it stands. It stands with Immigration Minister Alex Hawke and it is within his discretion.

“(I have) absolutely not spoken to Alex in relation to this matter.

“I can assure you that I will not be speaking to him in relation to this particular matter.”

Immigration Minister Alex Hawke has not sought counsel from his ministerial colleagues on the Novak Djokovic decision, Karen Andrews says. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Martin Ollman

More questions have been raised over Djokovic’s answers on his entry form, including allegations he had lied about not travelling in the two weeks prior to flying to Australia.

Pictures have emerged of him in both Serbia and Spain over Christmas.

In order to meet the requirement, he would have had to have been in Spain – his port of departure – for the entire two weeks before he flew to Australia.

Questions had also been raised about the accuracy of Djokovic’s positive test from December 16.

Djokovic was pictured out-and-about just a day later, with his mother Dijana telling Seven her son “probably didn’t know” he had Covid-19.

Djokovic was initially granted a visa to enter Australia despite not being vaccinated on the basis that he had had a recent Covid-19 infection.

But, when he arrived at Melbourne Airport last week, he was told by Australian Border Force officials that he did not have a valid exemption, and had his visa cancelled.

This decision was overturned in the Federal Court after a judge found Djokovic had not been afforded procedural fairness.

The ball is now in the Immigration Minister’s court.