The Acting Australian Border Force Commissioner is examining an “issue” that has arisen with Novak Djokovic’s Australian Travel Declaration for the Australian Open.
The news came as federal Home Affairs Minister Karen Andrews released a statement saying that while the Victorian government and Tennis Australia might permit a non-vaccinated player to compete in the Australian Open, the Commonwealth government would enforce requirements at the Australian border.
“No individual competing at the Australian Open will be afforded any special treatment,” the statement said.
“Quarantine requirements for international arrivals in Victoria, including for non-vaccinated individuals, are a matter for the Victorian Government.”
No details have been released about the nature of the issue with Djokovic’s declaration.
In the statement, Ms Andrews outlined the rules for arrivals.
“Since 15 December 2021 fully vaccinated eligible visa holders can travel to Australia without needing to apply for a travel exemption, and enter eligible states and territories quarantine free,” she said.
“Australian Border Force will continue to ensure that those who arrive at our border comply with our strict border requirements.”
Speaking after the statement was released, Prime Minister Scott Morrison told reporters that Djokovic would need to “provide acceptable proof” that he cannot be vaccinated for medical reasons.
“We await his presentation and what evidence he provides us to support that,” Mr Morrison said.
“If that evidence is insufficient, then he won’t be treated any different to anyone else, and he’ll be on the next plane home.
Yesterday the Serbian tennis world number one announced that he was on his way to Australia after receiving a medical exemption from being fully vaccinated against COVID-19.
Djokovic, who had declined to reveal his COVID-19 vaccination status, said previously that he was unsure whether he would compete at the grand slam event due to concerns over Australia’s quarantine rules.
Australian Open boss Craig Tiley said the blind application process for vacciation exemptions meant Djokovic was not given special treatment.
Tennis Australia established an independent panel to assess applications for exemptions.
The applications had personal information removed so that panel members did not know whose application they are assessing, Mr Tiley said.
Tennis Australia’s chief medical officer Carolyn Broderick said the panel was made up of experts in the fields of immunology, infectious diseases, and general practice.
Documents were provided to this panel with all personal information removed, including name, age and country of origin.
Any application that passed the assessment by TA’s independent panel was then sent to a separate review panel established by the Victorian Health Department for approval.
