While it has been suggested that the longer Novak Djokovic is allowed to remain in Australia the more likely it is he won't be deported that is not necessarily so.
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Every time it seems all the facts necessary for making a decision on the cause celebre that has focussed unwanted global attention on Australia's border policies have been made available this bizarre - indeed Kafkaesque - narrative bolts down another rabbit hole.
While, on the basis of what was presented at Monday's Federal Circuit Court hearing, it would have appeared unwise for the Immigration Minister Alex Hawke to re-cancel Mr Djokovic's visa new information continues to come to light.
One of the most significant developments is the revelation there was a significant error on the form Mr Djokovic submitted in support of his application to enter the country.
Instead of acknowledging he had been in at least two different countries - Spain and Serbia - in the fortnight before his departure for Australia, the form stated he had not crossed an international border during that time. Given Serbia won't become a member of the European Union until at least 2024 it's clearly not a case of being confused by the EU's open borders.
While Mr Djokovic has said Tennis Australia filled the declaration out on his behalf that does not absolve him of responsibility for what may, or may not, have been a legitimate mistake. One would assume Tennis Australia would have relied on information from the 20-time Grand Slam winner when completing the document.
The tennis star had a clear responsibility to ensure any information provided on his behalf was absolutely accurate. The real question is whether or not this error is of sufficient magnitude to justify cancelling the visa again. There are reportedly lesser penalties available for such breaches subject to the Minister's discretion.
Also of concern is Mr Djokovic's admission that he failed to comply with Serbian COVID-19 restrictions by not isolating immediately after he received a positive PCR test result in Belgrade on December 18. While, on the face of it, this is a matter for the Serbian authorities, it does suggest that Mr Djokovic may, at least on occasion, believe the law does not apply to him in the same way as it does to others.
That, after all, is the concern that has been raised by many Australians and a growing number of his peers on the international tennis circuit.
World number 38 Martin Fucsovics summed the situation up well when he said: "People's health is paramount, and there are rules that were outlined months ago - namely that everyone should vaccinate themselves - and Djokovic didn't".
While Minister Hawke is under pressure to make a decision as soon as possible, he would be aware, particularly in light of Monday's court decision, of the need to treat Mr Djokovic with dignity, fairness, and in accordance with due process.
And if, in light of what is now known, Djokovic is deported, the decision has to be absolutely water tight. The government can't afford another highly embarrassing legal defeat.
There are no winners here. The federal government has created this crisis by allowing unvaccinated tennis players and officials into the country after having repeatedly said that wasn't going to happen.
What began as a distraction from the Morrison government's inept handling of Omicron has morphed into a dangerous distraction for a government in a state of policy paralysis during a national crisis.
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