The federal government has cancelled the visa of a neo-Nazi who took part in an antisemitic rally outside NSW Parliament, declaring on Monday there was no room in Australia for guests who “show hatred”.
Civil engineer Matthew Gruter, one of the 60-odd black clad neo-Nazis who staged a made-for-social-media rally outside parliament on November 9, could soon be forced to return to South Africa, following the visa decision. He has been living in Australia with his influencer wife for about three years.
Matthew Gruter, who attended Saturday’s neo-Nazi rally, has been working for a major engineering firm that has held contracts with the Australian Defence Department and NSW government.Credit: Instagram
“If you are on a visa you are a guest,” Immigration Minister Tony Burke said. “If you’re a citizen you’re a full member of the Australian family.
“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.”
The Department of Home Affairs had prepared a brief for the Albanese government to consider Gruter’s visa status after his identity was revealed by this masthead and anti-fascist researchers with the White Rose Society.
“The Australian government will continue to act decisively to protect the community from the risk of harm posed by individuals who choose to engage in criminal activity or behaviour of concern,” a Home Affairs spokesman said in a statement.
Gruter had been previously photographed leading training sessions for the National Socialist Network, an openly racist extremist group that has caught the attention of law enforcement and intelligence agencies. In photographs with his pregnant wife, he was spotted wearing a silver wristband reserved for the group’s leaders, inscribed with the Hitler Youth slogan “blood and honour”.
Multinational company Aurecon, which has been contracted by the Australian Defence Force and government agencies, did not respond to questions last week about whether Gruter remained employed by the company.
