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Australian and Serbian leaders discuss Djokovic's visa

27 Comments
By ROD McGUIRK and JOHN PYE

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27 Comments
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I can understand why many folks are saying his visa should be cancelled - the whole intention of a medical exemption is for those people who for medical reasons (allergic/immune compromised...) are unable to take the vaccine. That is intent of the law. Djokovic has used it in a way that it was not intended - as a loophole in other words. It doesn't help him that he has openly posted anti-vax things on his social media. It was reported today in a news conference by his family, that he knew he was covid positive on Dec 16, the day before he appeared unmasked at a charity event for children. When asked why he attended the event if he knew he was positive, his family "abruptly ended the press conference". All of this does not garner sympathy.

10 ( +13 / -3 )

He should have his visa revoked and be punished for lying on an official government document, as any regular person would be - no exceptions or excuses. 

Not sure we can say he lied, but it's like at an airport when you are asked if you packed your own bags - even if you didn't, if you say yes, you are ultimately responsible for whats in the bag - even if Tennis Australia packed it for you!

9 ( +10 / -1 )

Hundreds of people have their visas revoked in Australia every month. Most for less than this ‘tennis star’ did. He lied on his application and was not able to provide an adequate medical exemption for his lack of vaccination. He should not be allowed into Australia.

8 ( +11 / -3 )

because the 'leaders' of nations have nothing more pressing to do....

7 ( +10 / -3 )

He should have his visa revoked and be punished for lying on an official government document, as any regular person would be - no exceptions or excuses. He provided the information to whoever filled out the form. There is no way he should be exempt from the conditions that would be applied to anyone else. This another case of different rules for the privileged and it stinks. I imagine the government are desperately trying the choose the course of action in which they look less bad.

7 ( +15 / -8 )

Not looking good for Djoke. He lied on his official immigration documents.

Deport him, and enforce the 3 year entry ban regular people would get.

6 ( +12 / -6 )

Whether he lied on the form or his team lied on the form is irrelevant. The information given on the form was clearly untrue. This is just another reason he shouldn't be allowed to compete in the tournament. Don't feel too bad for him, he's probably got a private jet on standby for his departure.

6 ( +8 / -2 )

So all I need to be is a tennis player to beat the system?

Cool!

5 ( +6 / -1 )

Go home Djokovic! Come back next year with a vac passport.

5 ( +6 / -1 )

Get on with the tournament and stop this petty nonsense. This world is turning into a joke, it’s like a bad reality show made for the mentally subnormal.

Only the mentally subnormal would think immigration rules and health procedures are petty nonsense. Or entitled people who think the rules don’t apply to them.

You know, Karens.

4 ( +6 / -2 )

The deportation drama has polarized opinions and elicited strong support for the 20-time Grand Slam winner in his native Serbia.

It also elicited strong condemnation for Djokavic in Australia. His privileged attitude has won him precious few supporters and he will be relentlessly booed throughout all his matches during the Aus Open, if he plays. He may yet be deported and that would make Australians happy. This episode has been poorly handled by the Federal court and will be remembered for a long time as a failure of justice and a victory for the rich and privileged over the public will and good sense.

4 ( +5 / -1 )

If there is a chance of a respite in this pandemic, it will be achieved with support from all walks of life rich, poor..

Sacrifices have been made, 5,486,304

Now, why will Djokovic not sacrifice his antivaxxer ideology to globally support a vaccine program that will ultimately save lives, young old?

Our families?

3 ( +4 / -1 )

lack of planning by the government.

What does Novak and his people think the Australian government is? Expedia? Governments don't plan for people. Next will they be asking for a side of Caviar with all this government planning Novak thinks he's entitled to like they are his personal agent?

3 ( +6 / -3 )

Is holding the 2022 Australian Open variable under such circumstances?

A toxic political shambles that could further deteriorate into more unruly scenes of public disorder with the police already having to control crowds with pepper spray.

Time to draw a line through the whole debacle.

The welfare of the Australian people must come first.

Djokovic must take reasonability. Instead of posturing, cowering behind lawyers.

2 ( +5 / -3 )

Bob Fosse

Unfortunately, though being rude and vulgar to me, it is you who looks like the fool. I never mentioned anything about the rules or health procedures. You decided with your bias what I am thinking and your bias was totally incorrect.

Yeah, I don’t see it that way.

Thinking to myself who is actually mentally subnormal here, or possible unable to understand or empathise with others valid comments.

That makes two of us.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

So he didn't even fill his declaration form himself, which turned out to be incorrect. Presumably he had to sign it though and as mentioned in he article, it would've been filled out based on information provided by himself.

Who's fault is that?

0 ( +6 / -6 )

So suddenly he’s a champion for the little people fighting against the elites? Quite a turnaround.

0 ( +5 / -5 )

The only time I went to Australia was part of a deal I made to register an exotic car I sold over there. The cost and the tiny, tiny bureaucrats made even the French administration look like easy going types, when even they are paperwork Nazi's.

It seems like everyone is an a/hole in this case. Anti-vaxers vs. Bureaucrats. Both camps working against society.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

There are rules....and there are Govt. employees who interpret the rules.

Big gap there.

Thats why , mostly, people can seek redress in a Court.

This principle goes back to 14th Century England {petition the King /Queen , or representative.] and its how the Law of Equity developed in Common Law.

It is a foolish person who thinks Govt. and their minions always get it right.

-2 ( +0 / -2 )

What did the Australian PM say to the Serbian leader. Did he apologize for making Australia the laughing stock of the world and for his earlier comments that he now has to eat as it seems the judge ruled against his vote winning exercise ( which the Australian taxpayer has to fund)

“the rules are the rules” and “we decide who comes in”

-4 ( +3 / -7 )

Bob Fosse

Unfortunately, though being rude and vulgar to me, it is you who looks like the fool. I never mentioned anything about the rules or health procedures. You decided with your bias what I am thinking and your bias was totally incorrect.

This is bread and circus stuff and pretty irrelevant. Plenty going on in the world and we have media focused on a Tennis player and a government with both sides playing their agenda for the entertainment and gossip of the world. Meanwhile, Covid is still about, tens of millions have lost their jobs, kids have missed so much education, people are divided more than ever.

Thinking to myself who is actually mentally subnormal here, or possible unable to understand or empathise with others valid comments.

-4 ( +1 / -5 )

You can whine until the Australian Open is over. The Judge told the government “you try it on again” and I place a injunction on the hearing until early February. Mean his ruling will stand until the injunction has run out. You can show photo discrediting, victimize and demonise this bloke all you want, it is not going to stop the bloke defending his title. He going to stay free, he going to play, then he will leave on his own accord. What are you people who is objecting, The same people who wouldn’t except a legal decision like Trump supporters storming the capital. Except the legal decision and get over it.

-4 ( +0 / -4 )

All those against Djokovic visa ruling by a law base society judge reminded me when was I reading their bias and hate is the exact same as listen and watching Fox News commentors and to those I am pointing seem to me that they all are wearing a buffalo horned hat and Red, white and blue war paint on your faces. Get over it . He visa is legal. just like Biden’s election win was judge Legal.

-4 ( +0 / -4 )

Get on with the tournament and stop this petty nonsense. This world is turning into a joke, it’s like a bad reality show made for the mentally subnormal.

-6 ( +4 / -10 )

diagonalslipToday 03:26 pm JST

because the 'leaders' of nations have nothing more pressing to do....

Well, yes, they're very busy trying to implement the astroturfed orders they've been given by certain supra-national bodies and powerful people...

-10 ( +2 / -12 )

Fighto!Today 04:03 pm JST

Not looking good for Djoke. He lied on his official immigration documents.

Deport him, and enforce the 3 year entry ban regular people would get.

Nah, it's looking very good for Nole. He's won his court case and is now on course to win his 10th Australian Open. He already has 9 of them! Can you believe that, Skippy?

Btw, when was the last time an Australian male won the Aussie Open, mate?

-11 ( +2 / -13 )

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