Federal Court hearing day announced as Djokovic heads to detention; different judge assigned

The Australian federal court has announced details of the court hearing for the Djokovic cases against the Minister for Immigration following his decision to cancel the world number 1 tennis star's visa.

Following last night's hearing before Judge Kelly the federal court confirmed that the matter of Djokovic v Minister will be heard today but by a different Judge.

Justice O’Callaghan of the Federal Court of Australia will now be hearing the case.

Although Djokovic was not detained last night following Immigration Minister Alex Hawke's visa cancellation, he was set to be interviewed by officials today 8am and taken to detention.

The minister cancelled Novak Djokovic’s visa “on health and good order grounds, on the basis that it was in the public interest to do so”.

Alex Hawke released a statement concerning the fate the world’s number one tennis player late on Friday afternoon:

“Today I exercised my power under section 133C(3) of the Migration Act to cancel the visa held by Mr Novak Djokovic on health and good order grounds, on the basis that it was in the public interest to do so.

“This decision followed orders by the Federal Circuit and Family Court on 10 January 2022, quashing a prior cancellation decision on procedural fairness grounds.

“In making this decision, I carefully considered information provided to me by the Department of Home Affairs, the Australian Border Force and Mr Djokovic.

“The Morrison Government is firmly committed to protecting Australia’s borders, particularly in relation to the COVID-19 pandemic.

“I thank the officers of the Department of Home Affairs and the Australian Border Force who work every day to serve Australia’s interests in increasingly challenging operational environments.”

Lawyers for the world number 1 tennis player immediately sought an injunction which would allow him to stay and play his first round of the Australian Open pending the outcome of the legal challenge.