Novak Djokovic's visa cancelled in bombshell Australian Open chaos
Novak Djokovic's Australian visa has been cancelled after Immigration Minister Alex Hawke made the decision after days of speculation.
At 6pm on Friday, Immigration Minister Hawke pulled the pin on the superstar's visa, just three days out from the Australian Open.
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The unvaccinated Djokovic is reportedly determined to continue the fight with the verdict going against him.
"Today I exercised my power under section 133C(3) of the Migration Act to cancel the visa held by Mr Novak Djokovic on health and good order grounds, on the basis that it was in the public interest to do so," Mr Hawke said in a statement.
Under Australian law, following an adverse decision under section 133C(3), an affected person would not be able to be granted a visa while offshore for a period of three years, except in certain circumstances.
The exception could include compelling circumstances that affect the interests of Australia or compassionate or compelling circumstances affecting the interests of an Australian citizen, permanent resident or eligible New Zealand citizen.
The move will now have ramifications on the Australian Open with the World No.1 already included in the draw.
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Australia's pandemic response has included an insistence that a visa holder must be double-vaccinated or show acceptable proof they cannot be vaccinated to enter quarantine-free.
Australian Border Force officials cancelled the World No.1's visa for entering the country while unvaccinated, only for the cancellation to be later quashed by a federal court.
Djokovic's lawyers, who are likely to challenge the latest cancellation in court, have provided lengthy submissions and supporting documentation to the minister.
Officials looked into potential discrepancies on Djokovic's declaration form, which stated he did not travel out of the country in the two weeks before his flight to Australia.
Djokovic was filmed playing tennis in Serbia on Christmas Day and was later seen training in Spain on December 31, both in the two-week window.
However, Djokovic has denied he was trying to mislead the government on the form, stating an agent had made an "administrative mistake" while filling out the form.
In a statement posted to social media, the Serbian player also admitted to attending a media interview in Belgrade when he knew he had COVID.
After carrying out a PCR test on December 16, Djokovic attended the interview two days later.
He said he had social distanced and wore a mask except when his photograph was being taken.
And while he went home after the interview to isolate for the required period, upon reflection this was an error of judgment, he said.
"Australians have made many sacrifices during this pandemic, and they rightly expect the result of those sacrifices to be protected," PM Scott Morrison said in a statement.
"That is what the (immigration) minister is doing in taking this action today.
"Our strong border protection policies have kept Australians safe, prior to COVID and now during the pandemic."
with AAP
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