Australian authorities have cancelled the visa of a British national following his arrest for allegedly displaying prohibited Nazi symbols on social media. The move forms part of a heightened crackdown on hate speech and threats to social cohesion.
Arrest and Charges in Queensland
The Australian Federal Police (AFP) arrested the 43-year-old UK citizen, who was living in Queensland, earlier this month. He faces three counts of publicly displaying prohibited Nazi symbols and one count of using a carriage service to menace, harass, or cause offence. Each charge carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison.
The AFP's National Security Investigations (NSI) team began probing the man in October. Investigators allege he used two different accounts on the social media platform X, formerly Twitter, to display the Nazi Hakenkreuz (swastika) and espouse a pro-Nazi ideology. Police state his posts expressed a specific hatred of the Jewish community and advocated violence against it.
After X blocked his primary account, the man allegedly created a second profile with a similar name to continue posting content that violated Commonwealth law between October 10 and November 5, 2025.
Weapons Seized and Visa Cancelled
On November 21, 2025, the AFP and Queensland Police executed a search warrant at the man's home in Caboolture. Officers seized a mobile phone and an array of weapons, including swords adorned with swastikas, axes, and knives.
The man appeared in Caboolture Magistrates Court on December 3, and his case was adjourned until January 7. Subsequently, Australia's Minister for Home Affairs, Tony Burke, used his powers to cancel the man's visa.
"Almost everyone on a visa is a good guest and welcome guest in our country. But if someone comes here for the purposes of hate, they can leave," Burke told the ABC's News Breakfast.
Context: Post-Attack Crackdown on Hate
This visa cancellation occurs in the wake of the devastating Bondi Beach attack on Sunday, December 14, where a father and son opened fire at a Hanukkah event. The attack, which federal police say was motivated by Islamic State ideology, killed 15 people and injured dozens more.
Since the attack, Minister Burke has announced several policy changes, including the prohibition of hate symbols. He has also pledged to strengthen his ministerial powers to deport visa holders who promote hate or are linked to hateful groups.
In a separate, week-long national operation, the NSI teams conducted 14 disruption activities across New South Wales, Queensland, Western Australia, and Victoria, focusing on the importation and potential sale of prohibited symbols. Multiple items were surrendered.
This operation led to further arrests:
- A 21-year-old Queensland man was arrested after importing a significant quantity of flags and literature. A review of his devices allegedly found violent extremist material, leading to charges of possessing or controlling such material.
- A 25-year-old man from Sydney was issued a court attendance notice for performing a Nazi salute in public, an offence carrying a mandatory minimum 12-month prison sentence.
AFP Assistant Commissioner Stephen Nutt stated the force would not tolerate intimidation or calls for violence against vulnerable communities. "The AFP will not hesitate to act against threats to Australia’s social cohesion," he said, highlighting a strategy of education, disruption, deterrence, and prosecution.
