Just to clear up a few FACTS as you have either misconstrued what actually happened.in truth, Djokovic did not get special rules... he was advised to seek an exemption (by who?) which would involve having his medical status examined anonymously by two Australian medical panels (or one panel and one board/doctor?) and if approved, he would be allowed to enter Australia without being vaccinated... but then the issue of a Djokovic exemption started to reverberate in the Australian public and whipped up by the likes of Todd Woodbridge and Sam Groth and then ScoMo decides to use the issue as a political win and has Djokovic's visa cancelled wrongly almost immediately he touches down in Melbourne --> hence, why the Government consented to Djokovic's first Federal Court application... but then, on Friday evening and with the Australian Open starting the following Monday morning and Djokovic in the draw (in Nadal's half no less), the government again cancels Djokovic's visa using a broad ministerial discretion not because his entry to Australia was contrary to law (they accepted his documents were in order) but because:
"I have given consideration to the fact that Mr Djokovic is a high profile unvaccinated individual who has indicated publicly that he is opposed to becoming vaccinated against Covid-19," the Immigration Minister wrote.
"In addition, I consider that Mr Djokovic's ongoing presence in Australia may lead to an increase in anti-vaccination sentiment generated in the Australian community, potentially leading to an increase in civil unrest of the kind previously experienced in Australia with rallies and protests which may themselves be a source of community transmission." - Alex Hawke
imagine throwing Greta Thunberg out of the country simply because her mere presence may encourage ordinary Australians to adopt a green agenda?
and because Australians hate Djokovic, nobody thinks to question the actions, motives and incompetency of decision makers here --> Dan Andrews got re-elected last year, Craig Tiley of Tennis Australia is still in his job, and ScoMo had a lot more problems than his border management that cost him his job
let's leave aside the lack of logic in allowing Djokovic into Australia in 2020, 2021 and 2023 while Covid is still an issue but taking some supposed moral high ground over vaccinations in 2022 for now... the problem with taking a strict Australian entry policy is that Australia hosts international events like the Australian Open which by definition must allow entry to all players that qualify... by restricting that entry, Australia fails to live up to its end of the bargain... for example, why not move the event until the Covid issue is sufficiently resolved or under control like they did with the Cinncinatti Masters in 2020 which was played in New York?
Novax gained exemption from 2 separate independent panels of medical experts. One of those was the Independent Medical Exemption Review Panel appointed by the Victorian Department of Health.
This was after the Victorian Government had also announced, " The Victorian government has mandated that only fully vaccinated players, fans and staff as well as those granted an exemption would be allowed into Melbourne Park".
Novak's problems were compounded by the Victorian State government NOT the Federal Government. The Victorian Government were saying one thing but were desperately trying by working behind the scenes to have Djokovic gain an exemption to play.
Federal Government control borders and their policy was crystal clear, in that anyone travelling into Australia had to show proof of vaccination to be allowed entry.
Tennis Australia CEO Craig Tiley was caught between a rock and hard place as he like the Victorian Government wanted Novax to play but also warned Novax that unless he can provide proof of vaccination, he wouldn't gain entry into Australia.
Novax based his exemption on that he had contracted the virus and therefore had gained immunity. That was NOT a legitimate reason for exemption according to the Commonwealth Government, under ATAGI at that time, hence the reason why his VISA was cancelled.
Victorian Labor Government knew this would be a bad look for the Federal Government by giving Novax an exemption and it was also up to Novax and his people to ensure that he was able to enter the country under the then Australian Laws.
