Novak Djokovic’s Australia ban waiver can be ‘slap in the face’ says former Australian minister

The Australian individuals who acquired the COVID-19 vaccine would obtain a “slap in the face” if Novak Djokovic’s visa ban was lifted in order that he may compete within the Australian Open, former Home Affairs Minister Karen Andrews stated on Monday.

Melbourne,UPDATED: Oct 10, 2022 14:25 IST

Waiving Djokovic ban can be ‘slap within the face’ for Australia: Ex-minister (Reuters)

By India Today Web Desk: Former Home Affairs Minister Karen Andrews stated that waiving Novak Djokovic’s visa ban to let him play the Australian Open can be a “slap in the face” for Australian individuals who had been vaccinated for COVID-19. Djokovic was deported from Australia within the leadup to the Grand Slam in January for declining to be vaccinated.

Although Djokovic is prohibited from getting into the nation till 2025, the federal government could waive his three-year visa ban. Australia repealed a regulation requiring international guests to register whether or not they had had the COVID vaccine in July, and Djokovic stated he was in search of “good news” on his utility to play within the Australian Open in 2019.

Andrews stated, nonetheless, that the rule change should not have any bearing on Djokovic’s case.

“There would have been other people in similar circumstances that have also had their visas canceled,” the lawmaker advised ABC Radio on Monday.

“So if immigration now chooses to make a special allowance for Novak Djokovic, the obvious question is what are they going to do about anyone else who may be in similar circumstances?”

Australia’s Home Affairs ministry reiterated that it doesn’t touch upon particular person circumstances.

Andrews stated lifting Djokovic’s ban can be a “slap in the face for those people in Australia who did the right thing (and) got vaccinated.”

“(Why should) Novak Djokovic be allowed back into the country simply because he’s a high-ranking tennis player with many millions of dollars?” she added.

“It shouldn’t be just one rule for (him) and a different rule for everyone else.”

Djokovic, who has gained the Australian Open a document 9 instances, was unable to journey to New York for the current U.S. Open as a result of he was not vaccinated however stated he had no regrets about lacking two of the 12 months’s 4 Grand Slams.