Australia has revoked the visa of South African national Matthew Gruter after he was seen participating in a neo Nazi rally outside the New South Wales parliament earlier this month. Gruter, who moved to Australia with his wife in 2022 and works as a civil engineer, was identified among a group of about sixty men dressed in black who took part in an anti Jewish demonstration organised by the National Socialist Network. The group held a banner calling for the abolition of the Jewish lobby, and footage of the event was widely circulated in Australian media. The incident comes amid a broader rise in right wing extremism in the country, which recently introduced mandatory prison sentences for performing the Nazi salute.
Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke confirmed the cancellation of Gruter’s visa, saying that visa holders are considered guests and must respect the values and social expectations of the nation. He added that while citizens are full members of the Australian community, guests who promote hatred or attempt to disrupt social harmony can be required to leave. Gruter is reported to be a senior figure within the National Socialist Network in New South Wales, a group known for its extremist ideology and public demonstrations. During the rally, participants repeatedly chanted slogans historically associated with Nazi Germany, further intensifying public and political condemnation.
The gathering drew strong criticism from state leaders and community organisations. New South Wales Premier Chris Minns described the rally as a disturbing and unacceptable display of racism, hatred and antisemitism. Representatives from the Jewish Council of Australia expressed concern about the growing visibility of neo Nazi groups and called for a clear distinction between legitimate protest activity and expressions of hate speech. They urged continued vigilance to ensure that extremist actions do not undermine multicultural values or threaten public safety.
