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South African national detained after neo-Nazi rally in Sydney
A South African man identified as Matthew Gruter has been taken into immigration detention in Australia after authorities revoked his visa for participating in an anti-Jewish protest organized by a neo-Nazi group outside the New South Wales parliament earlier this month.
Rally details and government response
Gruter, who has resided in Australia since 2022, joined around 60 men dressed in black during the demonstration on 8 November. The group, affiliated with the National Socialist Network, displayed a banner reading "Abolish the Jewish lobby" and reportedly chanted "blood and honour", a slogan linked to the Hitler Youth, according to local media.
Australia's Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke confirmed Gruter's visa was cancelled on character grounds, emphasizing that such actions were incompatible with the nation's values. "Multicultural Australia and modern Australia are the same thing... They hate modern Australia," Burke stated, adding that Gruter's detention occurred in the early hours of Tuesday with "very limited" appeal options due to the ministerial-level decision.
"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."
Tony Burke, Home Affairs Minister
Broader context: Rising extremism in Australia
The incident follows a recent surge in right-wing extremism across Australia. Earlier this year, the government criminalized the Nazi salute, imposing mandatory prison terms for violations. New South Wales Premier Chris Minns condemned the 20-minute rally as a "shocking display of hatred, racism, and antisemitism."
Sarah Schwartz, executive officer of the Jewish Council of Australia, warned that neo-Nazi groups pose a direct threat to the country's multicultural fabric. "They're acts of hate speech, and they should be considered as such," she told ABC News, urging a clear distinction between legitimate protests and "hateful stunts."
Gruter's background and next steps
Gruter, a civil engineer who moved to Australia with his wife, now faces deportation. The National Socialist Network, the group behind the rally, remains active in Australia despite widespread condemnation of its ideology. Authorities have not disclosed further details on Gruter's legal process or timeline for removal.
