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https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2022/jan/12/how-australias-handling-of-djokovic-exposed-its-flawed-immigration-system-to-the-world>
"Novak Djokovic has claimed victory in one court, and is back on one more
familiar.
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 are known as the “God powers”, and their use – and
misuse – has been controversial for decades.
“I have formed the view that I have too much power,” a former holder of the
immigration portfolio, Senator Chris Evans, said more than a decade ago.
“I am uncomfortable with that, not just because of concern about playing God,
but also because of the lack of transparency and accountability for those
decisions and the lack in some cases of any appeal rights against those
decisions.”
Since Evans aired those concerns to the parliament, successive governments have
falsely conflated migration with terrorism, or criminality, to justify more and
more extreme powers.
Australia’s federal court docket is quietly filled with dozens of challenges to
visa cancellations. Rarely are they as fortunate as Djokovic: backed by money,
institutional support, media attention, and a legal team in the multitudes.
The worst-case scenario he faced was the abandonment of a tennis tournament
(albeit a significant one).
But for a refugee arriving in Australia seeking protection, without money or
resources, without English or knowledge of Australia’s arcane migration law,
what prospects for a successful conclusion?
The glimpse of the government’s actions in the Djokovic case illuminate the
capricious and arbitrary attitude taken by the Australian government towards
people seeking entry."
Cheers,
*** Xanni ***
--
mailto:xanni@xanadu.net Andrew Pam
http://xanadu.com.au/ Chief Scientist, Xanadu
https://glasswings.com.au/ Partner, Glass Wings
https://sericyb.com.au/ Manager, Serious Cybernetics
