Tag: Alex Hawke

Government Criticised for Resettling ISIS Families in Sydney Without Community Consultation

The centre-left Labor government’s decision to resettle ISIS families in Australia without consulting with the community has faced fierce pushback from the opposition and an independent MP. It comes after the government repatriated four women and their 13 Australian children from an Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) Camp in Syria to Australia. Home Affairs Minister Clare…


Novak Djokovic ‘Very Happy’ Visa Ban Overturned Ahead of Australia Open

Former world number one Novak Djokovic will be playing in the 2023 Australian Open after the government overturned his three-year ban. At the beginning of the year, Djokovic was deported and banned from the country after his visa was cancelled over his vaccination status, causing him to miss out on the tournament. Following his victory…


Australia to Offer 100 Visas to Skilled Refugees From Ukraine and Afghanistan

Australia’s federal government will expand one of its skilled refugee migrant employment programs to provide new opportunities for 100 people fleeing Afghanistan and Ukraine. Splitting the placements with 50 from each country, the scheme will expand the 100 existing placements to 200 in the Skilled Refugee Pilot Program. Announcing the decision on March 4, the Minister…


‘We Were Just Happy’: Ukrainian Refugees Find Safe Haven in Australia

Some of the first Ukrainian refugees have found sanctuary in Australia as the Russian-Ukraine war continues to escalate. Maryna Tyshchenko, a Ukrainian Australian resident, was on the brink of tears when reuniting with her sister and mother at Sydney airport on March. 6. Raisa Ptashnyk, 58, and Iryna Ptashnyk, 30, spent their last night in…


Novak Djokovic to Face Hefty Legal Fees for Australia’s Visa Failure

Novak Djokovic is facing an estimated legal cost of up to $360,000 for his visa cancellation saga in Australia, but the final figure has yet to be announced, a Senate estimates hearing revealed on Monday night. The Department of Home Affairs was ordered to pay the legal costs for the first Federal Court matter after…


‘No Natural Justice’: Federal Court Reveals Reasons for Djokovic Deportation

The Federal Court of Australia has revealed its reasons for dismissing Novak Djokovic’s legal challenge to his visa cancellation, which ended a week-long saga where the male world number one fought to stay on Australian shores to compete for his 21st Grand Slam. In a unanimous decision by the full bench, Chief Justice James Allsop,…


Reputations Enhanced Over Djokovic’s Deportation

Commentary Two men have emerged with their reputations enhanced internationally over Novak Djokovic’s recent visit to Australia. One is Djokovic himself; the other is Judge Anthony Kelly. As to Djokovic, arguably the world’s greatest male tennis player, he is clearly a caring and generous man, evidenced both by his personal contributions to and his support…


Djokovic’s Final Australian Open Serve

Commentary A full bench of the Federal Court of Australia has rendered its judgment in the appeal launched by Novak Djokovic to have his visa cancellation overturned to enable him to play in the Australian Open. At issue was the discretionary power of the Minister of Immigration, Alex Hawke, to cancel a visa held by…


Djokovic’s 3-Year Australia Visa Ban Could End Early: Prime Minister

Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison has kept the door open for an early return for recently deported tennis star Novak Djokovic. On Jan. 16, the world number one male tennis player left Australia after his visa was cancelled by Immigration Minister Alex Hawke—exercising sweeping discretionary powers that the Federal Court later upheld during an urgent…


Djokovic’s Australian Open Fate Could Be Decided in Hours, Judge Says

SYDNEY, Australia—The participation of Novak Djokovic, men’s tennis World No. 1, in the Australian Open could be decided Sunday afternoon, a panel of three federal judges have said as they adjourned to decide whether to reinstate Djokovic’s Australian visa after almost five hours of hearing arguments. Chief Justice James Allsop said that the court hoped to deliver…