'If we can do this to him, think what we can do to you'
Novak Djokovic was re-arrested on Friday on the orders of Scott Morrison. "No-Vax" Djokovic has had his visa revoked, for a second time, with the government claiming the world tennis No. 1, poses a 'risk to the community'.
Immigration Minister Alex Hawke used what was described as 'discretionary powers' to again cancel Djokovic’s visa, issuing a statement that read:
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.
This decision followed orders by the Federal Circuit and Family Court on Jan 10th, 2022, quashing a prior cancellation decision on procedural fairness grounds. In making this decision, I carefully considered information provided to me by the Department of Home Affairs, the Australian Border Force and Mr Djokovic.
The Morrison Government is firmly committed to protecting Australia’s borders, particularly in relation to the COVID-19 pandemic. I thank the officers of the Department of Home Affairs and the Australian Border Force who work every day to serve Australia’s interest in increasingly challenging operational environments.
The 'Health' excuse appears the most blatant and ridiculous. To assert that an ultra-fit elite athlete could a) be really ill and b) unhealthy enough to represent a 'threat' to the Australian people does not stand up to any type of scrutiny whatsoever.
Novak Djokovic arrived in Melbourne airport on January 5th claiming a vaccine exemption because of a positive PCR test result on December 16th. Border agents rejected his exemption, saying a recent infection was an insufficient justification, cancelled his visa and placed him in a detention centre. Remember, this is supposed to be about stopping the spread of infection, but is really about following 'the rules'.
Djokovic went to court and a judge overturned the visa decision on procedural grounds because border officials at the airport failed to give him the agreed time to respond. Scott Morrison, who was watching proceedings, reportedly told officials to 'make an example' of Djokovic and ordered his re-arrest on Friday. Morrison has attempted to play on Australians emotions saying "The sacrifices made by Australians during the pandemic must be respected." in a cynical attempt to make Djokovic a villain, adding:
"The pandemic has been incredibly difficult for every Australian but we have stuck together and saved lives and livelihoods. Australians have made many sacrifices during this pandemic, and they rightly expect the result of those sacrifices to be protected."
Djokovic is not ill, not infected by any coronavirus and therefore represents no threat to the Australian people. Morrison previously stated: "When you get people making public statements - of what they say they have, and what they are going to do, and what their claims are - well they draw significant attention to themselves,"
An online poll by News Corp found that 83% favoured the Government trying to deport the player.
One thing this episode shows is how much lockdowns and vaccine mandates have twisted once reasonable and liberal people into scarred, traumatised people unable to respect fairness and autonomy because of what they have been made to endure by the authorities. Australia is banning the world’s best tennis player from the country because he isn’t vaccinated against a cold he’s already had, and, despite all the draconian measures, is running rampant through the population anyway. Australia has fallen.