Australian Open should lose accreditation because of Novak Djokovic visa drama, Victorian MP Tim Quilty says

The Victorian politician gave his view on Twitter after the world No.1 men's tennis player was detained at Melbourne airport by customs authorities.

"The ITF should remove the accreditation for the whole Australian Open over this," Mr Quilty wrote.

"If they had any credibility they would do just that and demonstrate Australia's complete lack of it."

Asked about his tweet, Mr Quilty told The Border Mail there had been government overreach.

"It was a bit of a throwaway line but when you think about it seriously when governments can interfere with tournaments it's not a free and fair competition and the ITF's job is to make sure tennis is free and fair and it's clearly not happening in Australia," he said.

Mr Quilty's former fellow Wodonga councillor and past Tennis Victoria board member Anna Speedie was unimpressed with the call

"What a shame Tim Quilty doesn't commentate on his electorate and his community and represent them and go into bat for them rather than make irrelevant commentary," Ms Speedie said.

"We've come to expect these ridiculous comments out of Tim."

Another North East MP, member for Ovens Valley Tim McCurdy said he "wouldn't go as far" as Mr Quilty in seeking ITF action but wants a probe into the paper trail approving Djokovic's entry to the country.

"Everyone has known for two months that it's going to be coming to a head and for him (Djokovic) to get on a plane and come down here and have this happen it's a bit of an embarrassment," Mr McCurdy said.

"It's an embarrassment for the state because we're hosting the tournament and for the government because they're the ones that put together the paperwork.

"It's a monumental stuff up, but if he hasn't got the paperwork and he hasn't been vaxxed then he shouldn't be here as far as I'm concerned."

Albury tennis coach and former Australian Open player Kate Hargreaves said the decision made not to allow Djokovic to enter the country was "truly fair".

"Novak is an amazing player but you've got to treat everyone fairly," she said, noting Indian junior player Aman Dahiya, 17, had been stopped from competing in the junior Australian Open as he was unvaccinated.

"Tennis Australia allowed it and thankfully our department of quarantine coming into Australia didn't allow it.

"I don't think because you're Djokovic you can escape the rules that everyone else who comes to the Australian Open has to abide by.

"I would have been really disappointed if he had played.

"I know of so many people that wouldn't have gone to the Australian Open and watched if he had played."

Mr Qullty said the treatment of Djokovic by Australian personnel had been "outrageous" and the tennis ace was a victim of political grandstanding.

"The guy poses no risk," the Liberal Democrat said.

"It's about government posturing about their stupid vaccination status.

"I'm sure it will be a popular decision, but it's absolute nonsense.

"It's not about public health, it's about the government appearing tough."

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