Received

Novak Djokovic has declared his plans to enjoy "a great Australian summer" after being granted a visa to return to the country which will enable him to shoot for more grand slam glory in Melbourne.

The Serbian all-time tennis great revealed on Wednesday that he was "very happy" to receive the news that would allow him to go for a record-extending 10th Australian Open title, and it was confirmed in writing to the world on Thursday morning.

"Since the cancellation of Mr Djokovic's visa in January 2022, all COVID-19-related Australian border restrictions under the Biosecurity Act 2015 have been removed, including the requirement to provide evidence of COVID-19 vaccination status to enter Australia," Immigration Minister Andrew Giles said in a statement.

"Mr Djokovic has subsequently been granted a temporary visa to enter Australia."

The 35-year-old had been barred from Australia until 2025 but revealed his delight that the decision has been reversed.

"I was very happy to receive the news yesterday," Djokovic, who'd been at the centre of major international drama on the eve of this year's event when he was held in a detention centre for attempting to enter the country while not vaccinated before being deported amid a legal battle, said.

But speaking in Turin after defeating Andrey Rublev at the ATP Finals, the Serbian said: "It's a relief, obviously knowing what I and people closest to me in my life have been through this year with what happened in Australia and post-Australia obviously.

"I could not receive better news for sure - during this tournament as well. Australian Open has been my most successful grand slams. I made some of the best memories there.

"Of course, I want to go back there, I want to play tennis, do what I do best, hopefully have a great Australian summer.

"I'm always thankful to go through experiences, no matter what the experiences are. I try to be optimistic and positive in life.

"I look forward to starting the new year in Australia, and we'll see how the next year goes."

The news came before Djokovic produced one of his performances of the year to outplay Rublev 6-4 6-1 to qualify for the semi-finals of the season-ending event - and he reckoned it may have helped his game out on court.

"Did it affect my game today? I would like to believe it did. Why not? I don't think it did affect me too much because I'm familiar with what I need to do in order to prepare myself for every match," he said.

"Of course, knowing that I have clarity now, what I do in the off-season, starting the season in Australia, also of course it did relieve some of the pressure me and my team felt. Just giving that clarity makes it great for us."

The return of Djokovic had looked on the cards ever since July when Australia scrapped its rule requiring visitors from overseas to declare their COVID vaccination status.

Australian Open tournament director Craig Tiley had said Djokovic would be welcome back if he could get a visa, but that Tennis Australia couldn't lobby on his behalf.

After missing the Australian Open and US Open over his COVID-19 stance, the still-unvaccinated Djokovic will now be able to shoot for Rafael Nadal's Melbourne crown while also attempting to equal the Spaniard's men's record of 22 grand slam crowns.

© AAP 2022

Anthony Albanese has wrapped up a successful G20 summit where he reset relationships, progressed trade talks and pushed Australia's position on climate change.

The prime minister will travel to Bangkok on Thursday afternoon for the APEC summit, the final leg of his nine-day tour of Southeast Asia.

Bilateral meetings with the leaders of France, India and the United Kingdom completed Mr Albanese's time in Bali.

But his most significant success was securing a meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping.

It marked the end of a six-year diplomatic freeze and the start of better diplomatic relations.

Mr Albanese would not confirm whether he will meet with Taiwan representatives in Thailand.

"APEC is an important forum. I look forward to promoting Australian business, economic activity and investment in the region," he told reporters in Bali on Wednesday.

Australia joined G20 nations in condemning Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

A leaders' statement released at the end of the summit said "most members" strongly condemned Russia's invasion.

Mr Albanese noted it was the first time a statement on Ukraine had been delivered by members of the G20.

"Russia is increasingly isolated ... Australia stands with Ukraine," he said.

Mr Albanese also talked up Australia's European links, commitment to clean energy and pandemic preparation.

He put his Italian heritage front and centre during talks with his European colleagues while progressing discussions on Australia's free trade agreement with the European Union.

"There's a link between economic relationships, free trade and national security," Mr Albanese said.

"Democratic nations need to engage with each other (and) we need free and open markets that support trade that support prosperity.

Australia will also contribute $50 million to the Pandemic Fund, hosted by the World Bank, to improve pandemic prevention, preparedness and response.

The prime minister is expected to arrive in Thailand on Thursday afternoon.

© AAP 2022

A NSW judge is set to determine whether Guy Sebastian's former manager should be sent to jail for embezzling hundreds of thousands of dollars from the singer.

In June, a jury found Titus Emanuel Day guilty of 34 charges alleging he fraudulently embezzled around $650,000 owed to Sebastian through royalties, performance and ambassador fees.

The 49-year-old was found not guilty of a further 13 charges.

On Thursday afternoon, Judge Tim Gartelmann will deliver Day's sentence after being told in a September hearing that the former manager was honest, diligent and a man of integrity.

Day is out on bail after three failed attempts by crown prosecutors to imprison him after the June convictions.

He managed the Australian Idol winner via his company 6 Degrees between 2009 and 2017 before the pair's relationship ended acrimoniously.

The entertainer said he was promised a stake in the company as his "foundational client" and a 10 per cent ownership of Solar D, a sunscreen brand Day created.

But Sebastian said this never eventuated before the breakdown in their relationship in 2017.

After trying to recover lost monies Sebastian filed a civil lawsuit in the Federal Court in July 2018. This case has been put on hold while the criminal proceedings against Day continue.

Two years after launching his civil suit, the pop singer approached police when he said he discovered criminal behaviour.

© AAP 2022