The Project aired minutes after the decision to cancel Novak Djokovic’s visa was made, and Lisa Wilkinson quickly offered a theory about the timing.
Channel 10 host Lisa Wilkinson has questioned why the federal government waited until late on a Friday afternoon to cancel Novak Djokovic’s visa for a second time.
The initial decision to cancel the unvaccinated Serbian tennis star’s visa was overturned in the Federal Circuit Court on Monday, but Immigration Minister Alex Hawke still had the final say on whether the world No. 1 would be allowed to stay in the country.
It wasn’t until 5.52pm on Friday that Mr Hawke finally came to a decision, invoking his discretionary power and immediately seeking to deport the tennis star.
Wilkinson cut to the chase on The Project moments after the decision during an interview with Aussie tennis legend Rennae Stubbs.
“6pm Friday night, dropping a story, is a classic political move if you want to kill a story, but I don’t think it will be killed. How do you think Novak will feel right now?” Wilkinson asked.
“I think sad, probably a little bit angry. A bit bemused. Unsure. You name it. I’m not in his head but I suspect, I have a feeling he will try and fight this at some point,” Stubbs replied.
Wilkinson also brought up the timing in an earlier interview with Adul Rizvi, the former deputy secretary of the Immigration Department.
“They made this announcement at 6pm on a Friday night, which as we all know is a classic political move if you want to kill a story over the weekend. How much of this decision do you think was political?” she asked him.
“Look, once the government was in this very difficult situation, and it got itself in the difficult situation by changing policy on how it dealt with medical exceptions,” he replied.
“I think it felt it had to continue with the cards that it had played.”
Wilkinson’s theory about the timing of the announcement struck a chord online.
“Talk about leaving it late on a Friday to try and bury the fallout,” media journalist Sophie Elsworth tweeted.
“Really poor form. It’s typical ‘Friday news dump’ behaviour. It’s not the action of a government of conviction and clear purpose,” another wrote on Twitter.
Others suggested the delayed decision was a deliberate move to make it difficult for the 20-time grand slam winner to appeal and have his case heard in time for the first round of the Australian Open on Monday.
“He (Mr Hawke) waited four days to delay any appeal to impact on the Australian Open,” wrote one man.
“This is blatant misuse of power for someone who has supported Australia.”
“How to stop Novak Djokovic from winning a 21st Slam? Answer: Sneakily cancel his visa two days before the slam and give him no time to appeal,” suggested another.
Djokovic’s lawyers are expected to seek an immediate injunction which could allow him to stay and play his first round of the grand slam pending an expedited hearing.
However, if he doesn’t challenge the decision in the courts, he will be immediately deported from the country.
Djokovic would be banned from being granted another visa for three years if he doesn’t successfully appeal the decision – however this can be waived.
The Herald Sun’s Ashley Argoon said sources close to Djokovic’s camp was notified of his visa cancellation at 6:03pm — almost 10 minutes after the media was alerted.
Djokovic’s next move is expected soon and Argoon tweeted: “Djokovic has been asked to present himself for interview tomorrow.”
Prime Minister Scott Morrison shared a statement on Friday evening after the announcement.
“I note the Minister for Immigration’s decision in relation to Mr Novak Djokovic’s visa,” he said.
“I understand that following careful consideration, action has been taken by the Minister to cancel Mr Djokovic’s visa held on health and good order grounds, on the basis that it was in the public interest to do so.
“This pandemic has been incredibly difficult for every Australian but we have stuck together and saved lives and livelihoods.
“Together we have achieved one of the lowest death rates, strongest economies and highest vaccination rates, in the world.
“Australians have made many sacrifices during this pandemic, and they rightly expect the result of those sacrifices to be protected.
“This is what the Minister is doing in taking this action today.
“Our strong border protection policies have kept Australians safe, prior to Covid and now during the pandemic.
“Due to the expected ongoing legal proceedings, I will be not be providing any further comment.”
Originally published as Lisa Wilkinson claims timing of Novak Djokovic visa cancellation was a ‘political move’
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