Originally Posted by Inactive Digital

I'm confused.

If Djokovic was going to be deported for the "errors" on his visa application form, fair enough. But the government's reason was on health and public order grounds.

From what I've seen of the appeal overnight, the government seems to have been relying on comments he made in April 2020 as evidence that he stirs up anti-vax sentiment. If that is such a concern, why was he granted a visa in the first place? His opinions on vaccines are well documented and were known before he applied for his visa - it seems a failure of government policy that he was allowed permission to enter the country at all if they believe him to be a risk to the public.

This is purely political gesturing ahead of elections. Australian's in some states are living under some of the strictest restrictions in the world. I fully understand their anger that Djokovic was able to enter the country given the rules they are living under. But make no mistake, this farcical chain of events deflects their anger, wrongly in my opinion, away from the government removing their liberties and onto a tennis player who the government accepts poses litlle risk of transmitting Covid but has chosen not to be vaccinated.

Vaccines have had a tremendous impact on saving lives across the world - especially in the elderly and most vulnerable. But the stigmatising division being sown by governments across the world leaves me feeling very uncomfortable.