Four insights from the Djokovic Saga

The Djokovic saga that was played out in front of us over the last few weeks should have been a welcome distraction from the many global events that are keeping many of us up at night, like Russia’s posturing towards the Ukraine, and China’s ongoing aggression towards Taiwan. The problem is, however, that it not only exposed Australia’s flawed and biased immigration system to the world but is also globally embarrassing.

From the Washington Post and the UK’s Independent, to Belgium’s Brussels Times, commentators are discussing how the world Tennis Number 1 and 2021 European Sportsman of the Year, was invited to Australia, had his visa revoked, was thrown into detention, was let out of detention, and ended up back in detention, and has since had his visa revoked and left Australia.

Most who have been writing about the saga like a simple angle: the events are caused by Djokovic’s tendency to be bull-headed, arrogant and his God-like faith in himself; or that it comes down to the incompetence of the Morrison Government.

Beyond discussions of the many flawed individuals involved, this mess is a microcosm of the many challenges of our contemporary society. Here are four insights worth noting.

1.??????No hiding your politics in the age of Covid

The debates about vaccination, lockdowns, conspiracies, mask mandates and herd immunity have shaped the political landscape over the last two years. Some leaders have been handsomely rewarded for the way they have handled the pandemic while others have been removed.

Socially, families and friendships have been put under pressure as differing opinions about all these issues have become topics of conversation.

While you may wonder how we have become so divided around the virus, the truth is that these divisions have always existed, but we have never had to openly discuss them before. Be it medical conspiracies or the sanity of a sportsperson, (or family member), who decides to trust a social media influencer ahead of world-leading virologists, or the chief health officer, we are now confronting the values and beliefs of those around us.

The pandemic means that our belief systems are now front and centre in all relationships: from our closest family members to colleagues, to the world’s best tennis player – and everyone must now disclose their position.

2.??????The buck stops with no-one

Exactly how Djokovic ended up in the country no one is sure. Dan Andrews has blamed the Morrison Government and the Morrison Government pointed the finger at the Andrews Government.

As far back as April 2020, Djokovic made his position clear when he stated: “Personally, I am opposed to vaccination, and I wouldn’t want to be forced by someone to take a vaccine in order to be able to travel.”

He later backed away by stating his position was not about vaccines per se but about being forced to take a vaccine. Where Djokovic stands on this matter has never been in question.

Somehow, he still managed to get an exemption and come to Australia, but no one is willing to put their hand up and take responsibility.

Insight: our leaders have become adept at blaming each other.

3.??????‘Low-rent politics’ over policy

Last week, the former head of the Department of Health, Jane Halton, criticised border restrictions noting the rate of COVID infections in Australia is now higher than in the US or UK. As of January 12, Australia was at 397.4 per 100,000, compared to 234.4 in the US and 221 in the UK. Yet, state premiers still insist on border restrictions and the federal government has ceded any responsibility – using the states as scapegoats.

The core of the Morrison Government response to a now obsolete state-based strategy rests on ‘self-responsibility’ and impossible to find rapid antigen tests.

Blaming individuals, the states and basing your strategic response around an unavailable testing regime is not policy.

Writing for the Weekend Australian, Janet Albrechtsen argued that both the delays in deciding on Djokovic’s visa and the news leaked that the tennis player may have ‘lied’ on his travel paperwork are delaying tactics of a government, “likely poring over polling and hunting for ex post facto reasons to discredit Djokovic.”

The pandemic has highlighted the need for structural reform: from our labour laws to our internet infrastructure and the need to invest in local industries to manage supply change. Yet more effort seems to have gone into demonising a tennis player than confronting the need for economic restructuring.

4.??????There is always an opportunist with hyperbole

Let’s be clear, as incompetent as the handling of this affair is, when someone makes a choice not to be vaccinated, they are making a choice to suffer the consequences. Statements of ‘vaccine apartheid’ and ‘vaccine racism’ are both disingenuous and insulting for those that have suffered from political persecution and bigotry.

Likewise, we witness political prisoners all over the world who are tortured, oppressed, and fleeing for their lives. In fact, some of them are in our very own detention centres.

When United Australia’s Craig Kelly spoke at an anti-vax rally with placards that included ‘“Vax free are the new 1940s Jews”, and describe Djokovic as a ‘political prisoner’, it should be condemned. It confirms that Kelly is nothing more than an opportunist seeking re-election by giving credibility to those making these ludicrous claims and should be held accountable.

As a sociologist, I always look at the underlying meaning of events that capture our attention. Like hearing someone’s uninformed opinion about the unknown impacts of the vaccine, I sometimes do not like what I discover.

Professor James Arvanitakis is the Executive Director of the Australian American Fulbright Commission, an Adjunct Professor at Western Sydney University, and a regular commentator for the ABC and other media.?

Originally published by Neos Kosmos: https://neoskosmos.com/en/2022/01/17/dialogue/four-insights-from-the-djokovic-saga/