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How Australia’s handling of Djokovic exposed its flawed immigration system to the world
Money, media attention and fame will protect the tennis player from the same fate as those confined to years in detention by arbitrary and arcane law
Novak Djokovic has claimed victory in one court, and is back on one more familiar.
- Ben Doherty
- The Guardian
But as he prepares for the Australian Open at Melbourne Park, he does so with a Damoclean sword hanging above his head.
Australia’s immigration minister, Alex Hawke, a close ally of the prime minister, is uniquely vested with extraordinary powers: at any time, with the stroke of the ministerial pen, he can end Djokovic’s right to stay in the country, and ban him for three years.
Within government, these…