Three Australian Federal Court judges on Thursday revealed their reasons for backing a government order to deport tennis star Novak Djokovic, explaining they did not consider the merits or wisdom of the decision.
The judges on Sunday unanimously endorsed Immigration Minister Alex Hawke’s decision to deport the Serb following an urgent court challenge on the eve of what was to be Djokovic’s first match in defence of his Australian Open title.
Djokovic, 34, accepted the verdict and flew from Melbourne to the UAE. Chief Justice James Allsop and Justices James Besanko and David O’Callaghan on Thursday released a 27-page explanation of why they rejected Djokovic’s challenge.
“The court does not consider the merits or wisdom of the decision,” the judges said. “The task of the court is to rule upon the lawfulness or legality of the decision. Another person in the position of the minister may have not cancelled Mr Djokovic’s visa. The minister did,” they added.
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