A South African man who attended a neo-Nazi rally outside New South Wales Parliament has had his visa revoked and has been placed in immigration detention, Australian authorities confirmed.
Matthew Gruter, who moved to Australia with his wife in early 2022, was photographed in the front row of a protest organized by the National Socialist Network on November 8. Around 60 men dressed in black participated, holding a banner that read “Abolish the Jewish lobby” and repeatedly chanting “blood and honour,” a slogan linked to the Hitler Youth.
Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke explained that Gruter’s visa was cancelled on character grounds. He emphasized that those on visas are considered guests in Australia. “Like with any household, if a guest turns up to show hatred and wreck the household, they can be told it’s time to go home,” Burke remarked, adding that Gruter would have “very limited” avenues to appeal the decision, which was made at a ministerial level.
Gruter, who works as a civil engineer and is associated with engineering firm Aurecon, was pictured during the rally wearing a silver bracelet engraved with the same Hitler Youth slogan chanted at the event. When asked about the bracelet and his attendance at the rally, he responded, “Since when is it a crime to love and advocate for your own people?”
New South Wales Premier Chris Minns described the demonstration, which lasted roughly 20 minutes, as a “shocking display of hatred and racism and antisemitism.” He also indicated that the state could introduce changes to hate speech laws to ensure clear consequences for such actions.
Sarah Schwartz, executive officer of the Jewish Council of Australia, observed that groups like the National Socialist Network pose a threat to the country’s multicultural values. Counter-extremism expert Greg Barton noted that legislation alone may be insufficient to curb the rise of far-right extremism.
Authorities have underscored that attendance at such rallies is incompatible with being part of Australian society, reinforcing the government’s stance against hate-driven activities.
