Pre-Dawn Operation Targets Neo-Nazi Rally Attendee
Australian immigration authorities have detained a South African national in a dramatic pre-dawn operation after the home affairs minister cancelled his visa for attending a neo-Nazi rally in Sydney. Matthew Gruter was taken into custody between 4am and 5am on Tuesday morning and transported to Villawood detention centre, where he will remain until his deportation.
Minister Defends Swift Action Against Hate Speech
Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke defended his decision to cancel Gruter's visa, stating "What could be a clearer example of someone showing they don't care about cohesion in Australia, than turning up to a Nazi rally?" The minister announced the visa cancellation on Monday, more than a week after the neo-Nazi group's anti-Jewish protest outside New South Wales state parliament.
The rally featured chants of the Hitler Youth phrase "blood and honour" and prompted widespread condemnation from political leaders across the spectrum. Burke emphasised that "Multicultural Australia and modern Australia are the same thing" and that individuals involved in neo-Nazism shouldn't pretend to be patriotic.
Group Raises Funds While Legal Options Narrow
Gruter's organisation, White Australia - formerly known as the National Socialist Network - has launched a fundraising campaign that had gathered $20,000 by Tuesday afternoon. The group claims Gruter will "fight to remain in Australia via every possible avenue" and noted that the rally had been approved by New South Wales police.
However, Minister Burke indicated that Gruter's appeal options are "very limited" because the visa was cancelled by ministerial decision rather than through the immigration department. The minister expects Gruter "will be gone very soon" despite potential court appeals.
Shadow home affairs minister Jono Duniam backed Burke's decision, telling Sky News "There is no room in Australia for clowns like that who want to come here and preach hate, go back to where you came from, frankly."
Foreign Affairs Minister Penny Wong reinforced the government's position, stating "There was no place in Australia for those hateful views" and that freedom of speech doesn't extend to being divisive and hateful.
The case has sparked debate about the limits of free speech, with United Australia Party senator Ralph Babet writing on X: "You may not like what he [Gruter] has to say but in a free country you should defend his right to say it."
