Video exposes Immigration Minister Alex Hawke’s U-turn on Novak Djokovic

Immigration Minister Alex Hawke called Novak Djokovic a “good ambassador” less than 12 months before cancelling his visa.

Immigration Minister Alex Hawke labelled world No. 1 Novak Djokovic a “good ambassador” less than 12 months before cancelling the 20-time grand slam champion’s visa.

On Friday, Mr Hawke made the call to deport Djokovic from Australia “on health and good order grounds, on the basis that it was in the public interest to do so”. The minster used his personal power to overturn a decision in the Federal Circuit Court last Monday that allowed Djokovic to remain in the country.

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“Mr Djokovic’s presence in Australia may pose a health risk to the Australian community, in that his presence in Australia may foster anti-vaccination sentiment leading to other unvaccinated persons refusing to become vaccinated,” Mr Hawke said, according to court documents.

“There is evidence to suggest that Mr Djokovic has, in the past, shown an apparent disregard for the need to isolate following the receipt of a positive Covid-19 test result.

“Given Mr Djokovic’s high profile status and position as a role model in the sporting and broader community, his ongoing presence in Australia may foster similar disregard for the precautionary requirements following receipt of a positive Covid-19 test in Australia.”

On Sunday, one of the Serbian superstar’s lawyers said the minister’s reasons for trying to kick out Djokovic were “wrong”, “extremely weak” and “irrational”.

The case was heard by a full bench of the Federal Court of Australia on Sunday afternoon which ruled unanimously to deport the 34-year-old.

Novak Djokovic will be deported from Australia. Photo by Brandon MALONE / AFP

Alex Hawke MP, Minister for Immigration. NCA NewsWire / Martin Ollman

But on Sunday, footage emerged of Mr Hawke praising Djokovic for being a “good ambassador” in Australia.

The video, which is believed to have been filmed in 2021, was uploaded to Twitter by Joel Fitzgibbon, a well-known Labor-figure and Deputy Chair of Select Committee on Regional Australia.

“The whole Serbian journey is not just Novak Djokovic, although he is a successful part of it and certainly he is a good ambassador here in Australia, but really when you think about it, this year has been one of the most difficult that we’ve had,” Mr Hawke says in the 18-second clip.

Amazing, this. Here is immigration minister Alex Hawke, the man who now deems Novak Djokovic an intolerable risk to the health of Australians, describing the Serb in 2021 as a 'good ambassador here in Australia' https://t.co/FknukKygiI

— Oliver Brown (@oliverbrown_tel) January 15, 2022

Djokovic released a statement soon after Sunday’s decision was handed down, claiming he was “extremely disappointed” with the outcome.

“I’d like to make a brief statement to address the outcomes of today’s Court hearing,” he said. “I will now be taking some time to rest and to recuperate, before making any further comments beyond this.

“I am extremely disappointed with the ruling to dismiss my application for judicial review of the decision to cancel my visa, which means I cannot stay in Australia and participate in the Australian Open. I respect the Court’s ruling and I’ll co-operate with the relevant authorities in relation to my departure from Aus.

“I am uncomfortable that the focus of the past weeks has been on me and I hope that we can all now focus on the game and tournament I love. I would like to wish the players, tournament officials, staff, volunteers and fans all the best for the tournament.

“Finally, I would like to thank my family, friends, team, supporters, fans and my fellow Serbians for your continued support. You have all been a great source of strength to me.”

Djokovic was scheduled to get his Australian Open campaign underway at Rod Laver Arena on Monday evening, but world No. 150 Salvatore Caruso has replaced him in the men’s singles draw.