Headlines have been made around the world following the decision on 6 January 2022 by a delegate of the Australian Minister for Home Affairs (Delegate) to cancel tennis player Novak Djokovic’s (Djokovic) Temporary Activity (subclass 408) visa (Visa). On 6 January 2022 lawyers for Djokovic applied to the Federal Circuit and Family Court seeking orders that the decision of the delegate be overturned.
The dispute involved issues of procedural fairness, particularly concerning the timeframes and the circumstances surrounding the visa cancellation. On 10 January 2022 orders were made by Kelly J declaring the decision of the Delegate cancel Djokovic’s visa be quashed and to organise his immediate release from immigration detention. This article discusses the background to this case, findings and what really happened. [Read more…]