South African Man’s Visa Revoked After Attending Neo-Nazi Rally Outside NSW Parliament

A South African man, Matthew Gruter, has had his visa revoked by the Australian government after attending a Neo-Nazi protest outside the New South Wales (NSW) parliament house. The protest, held on 8 November, was organized by the National Socialist Network (NSN), a notorious far-right extremist group. Gruter was photographed front and center at the rally, wearing black and participating in chants like "blood and honour," a slogan linked to the Hitler Youth.

Minister for Home Affairs, Tony Burke, swiftly acted on the incident, stating, "It was time to go home." He further emphasized that those on visas are guests in Australia, and if they bring hatred and disrupt the country's values, they can be asked to leave. "If you're a citizen, you're a full member of the Australian family," Burke added, highlighting the importance of maintaining societal harmony.

Gruter, who moved to Australia with his wife in early 2022, reportedly entered on a sponsored work visa. His connection to the NSN, including wearing a bracelet engraved with a Hitler Youth slogan, sparked outrage. In response to inquiries, Gruter defended his actions, saying, "Since when is it a crime to love and advocate for your own people?"

Gruter’s ties to a controversial group and his public display of extremist symbols have raised concerns about far-right activity in Australia. NSW Premier Chris Minns expressed his support for stricter hate speech laws, signaling that changes could be introduced soon to prevent such groups from gaining a foothold. “Nazis aren’t welcome,” he declared, adding that no one should be exempt from scrutiny based on their associations.

The company Gruter was employed by, Aurecon, declined to comment on the matter, but did confirm it was investigating.

The revocation of Gruter's visa marks a significant step in Australia’s efforts to combat extremism, sending a message that hate groups will not be tolerated. However, experts note that combating the rise of far-right ideologies requires more than just legislation—it also demands a concerted effort from society to reject such extremist views.