World No 1 issues statement saying he ‘respects’ court ruling – as it happened

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Here’s the main stories in Australia today:

• Novak Djokovic to be deported from Australia after federal court upholds visa cancellation, with the government saying the decision vindicates its approach.
• An underwater earthquake eruption in Tonga triggers tsunami warnings in Australia, with the BoM reporting a “mass rescue” at a NSW beach caused by the unusual conditions.
• Victoria records 13 Covid-19 deaths and 28,128 new cases; NSW records 20 deaths and 34,660 new cases; Queensland records three deaths and 17,445 new cases; ACT records two deaths and 1,316 cases; SA records 2479 cases; Tasmania 825 new cases; Northern Territory 327 cases.
• Western Australia to introduce a mask mandate from 6pm local time in response to six new Covid cases.
• The health minister, Greg Hunt, says Omicron cases may be peaking ion NSW and the ACT.

(Sorry, I know I said that was it for Djokovic news.)

The prime minister Scott Morrison has just released a statement on the Djokovic decision:

The Full Federal Court of Australia unanimously decided to dismiss Mr Novak Djokovic’s application for judicial review which sought to challenge the Minister for Immigration’s decision to cancel his visa.

This cancellation decision was made on health, safety and good order grounds, on the basis that it was in the public interest to do so. I welcome the decision to keep our borders strong and keep Australians safe.

As I said on Friday, Australians have made many sacrifices during this pandemic, and they rightly expect the result of those sacrifices to be protected.

Over the pandemic, together we have achieved one of the lowest death rates, strongest economies and highest vaccination rates, in the world. Strong borders are fundamental to the Australian way of life as is the rule of law.

Our Government has always understood this and has been prepared to take the decisions and actions necessary to protect the integrity of our borders.

I thank the Court for their prompt attention to these issues and the patience of all involved as we have worked to resolve this issue. It’s now time to get on with the Australian Open and get back to enjoying tennis over the summer.

Novak Djokovic has lost his appeal against his visa cancellation, and is set to be deported from Australia. He has said in a statement that he respects the federal court’s decision and will cooperate with authorities working on his deportation.

Our story on the saga is here:

The immigration minister Alex Hawke has just released the following statement:

I welcome today’s unanimous decision by the Full Federal Court of Australia, upholding my decision to exercise my power under the Migration Act to cancel Mr Novak Djokovic’s visa in the public interest.

Australia’s strong border protection policies have kept us safe during the pandemic, resulting in one of the lowest death rates, strongest economic recoveries, and highest vaccination rates in the world. Strong border protection policies are also fundamental to safe-guarding Australia’s social cohesion which continues to strengthen despite the pandemic.

Australians have made great sacrifices to get to this point and the Morrison Government is firmly committed to protecting this position, as the Australian people expect.

To date around 43 million vaccination doses have been administered in Australia and more than 91.6% of Australians aged 16 years and over are fully vaccinated.

Accordingly, Australia has been able to commence a step-by-step, safe reopening of its international border as a result of this successful vaccination program.

There’s not been an update to the Australian Open schedule of play for tomorrow reflecting that the number one seed is probably going to be on a plane back to Serbia, but this is a good suggestion:

A good point (ahem), well made.

Alize Cornet, France’s top ranked female tennis player, has had this to say:

Some more reaction urging perspective on the broader issue of how Australia’s immigration system works.

Here is Novak Djokovic’s full statement, just released:

I would like to make a brief statement to address the outcomes of today’s Court hearing. I will now be taking some time to rest and to recuperate, before making any further comments beyond this.

I am extremely disappointed with the Court ruling to dismiss my application for judicial review of the Minister’s decision to cancel my visa, which means I cannot stay in Australia and participate in the Australian Open.

I respect the Court’s ruling and I will cooperate with the relevant authorities in relation to my departure from the country.

I am uncomfortable that the focus of the past weeks has been on me and I hope that we can all now focus on the game and tournament I love. I would like to wish the players, tournament officials, staff, volunteers and fans all the best for the tournament.

Finally, I would like to thank my family, friends, team, supporters, fans and my fellow Serbians for your continued support. You have all been a great source of strength to me.

Djokovic says he respects the court’s ruling and “will cooperate with the relevant authorities in relation to my departure from the country”.

He adds:

I am uncomfortable that the focus of the past weeks has been on me and I hope that we can all now focus on the game and tournament I love. I would like to wish the players, tournament officials, staff, volunteers and fans all the best for the tournament.

Finally, I would like to thank my family, friends, team, supporters, fans and my fellow Serbians for your continued support. You have all been a great source of strength to me.

A very brief statement, which says he is extremely disappointed, but will take time to rest and recuperate before commenting further:

And this reaction from Liberty Victoria:

The decision by the Hon Alex Hawke MP, the Minister for Immigration, Citizenship, Migrant Services and Multicultural Affairs, to cancel Mr Novak Djokovic’s visa and to deport him has drawn attention to Australia’s dysfunctional visa cancellation and detention regimes and to the troubling use of the Minister’s God-like personal powers.

Liberty Victoria has repeatedly warned about the dangers of such powers.

Australian tennis player Nick Kyrgios has reacted to the decision in a somewhat atypically understated way:

That’s all folks.

The case had been adjourned by 30 minutes in case either side had sought them, but that’s it from the full court of the federal court.