Australia revokes Novac Djokovic's visa second time

Australia's government cancelled Novak Djokovic's visa for a second time Friday as it sought to deport the tennis superstar over his Covid-19 vaccine status. Immigration Minister Alex Hawke said in a statement that he acted on "health and good order grounds". The cancellation means Djokovic would be barred from a new Australian visa for three years, except under certain circumstances. Hawke used discretionary powers to again cancel Djokovic's visa, after a court quashed an earlier revocation and released him from immigration detention on Monday. "I exercised my power under section 133C(3) of the Migration Act to cancel the visa held by Novak Djokovic on health and good order grounds, on the basis that it was in the public interest to do so," Hawke said in a statement. 

#BREAKING The Government will cancel the visa of @DjokerNole says Immigration Minister @AlexHawkeMP #AusOpen #auspol pic.twitter.com/8kMpQ4bmLy

— Political Alert (@political_alert) January 14, 2022

Australia Prime Minister Scott Morrison had said on Thursday that the government's position on Djokovic has not changed. His comments had come after the draw for the Australian Open was delayed without any explanation. Djokovic was included in the draw, which eventually took place after Morrison's briefing, drawing unseeded fellow Serb Miomir Kecmanovic for his opening round match.