South African Detained After Neo-Nazi Rally in Australia

Published: 18 November 2025 Tuesday. The English Chronicle Desk. The English Chronicle Online

A South African man who attended a neo-Nazi rally outside an Australian state parliament has been taken into immigration detention after his visa was revoked, authorities confirmed.

Matthew Gruter, who has lived in Australia since 2022, participated in an anti-Jewish protest organized by the National Socialist Network outside the New South Wales parliament earlier this month. He is now awaiting deportation following the cancellation of his visa on character grounds.

Reports indicate that Gruter was among roughly 60 men clad in black, holding a banner that read “Abolish the Jewish lobby.” Demonstrators repeatedly chanted slogans such as “blood and honour,” associated with the Hitler Youth, according to Australian media outlets.

Australia has witnessed a recent rise in right-wing extremism, prompting the government to introduce new laws earlier this year that make the Nazi salute punishable by a mandatory prison term.

Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke emphasized that those who attended the rally were not “patriotic.” He stated, “Multicultural Australia and modern Australia are the same thing… They hate modern Australia.” He added that as Gruter’s visa cancellation was enacted at a ministerial level, the detained individual would have “very limited” options to appeal the decision.

“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,” Mr. Burke said, underscoring that anyone in Australia on a visa is considered a guest of the country.

Gruter moved to Australia with his wife and works as a civil engineer, according to ABC News. The National Socialist Network, the group behind the rally on 8 November, is recognized as a neo-Nazi organization in Australia.

The rally, which lasted approximately 20 minutes, drew condemnation from politicians and community leaders alike. New South Wales Premier Chris Minns described the demonstration as a “shocking display of hatred and racism and antisemitism.”

Sarah Schwartz, executive officer of the Jewish Council of Australia, highlighted the threat posed by neo-Nazi groups to multiculturalism in the country. She stressed the need to distinguish between peaceful protests and “hateful stunts,” noting, “They’re acts of hate speech, and they should be considered as such.”

The Australian government has repeatedly warned that activities promoting extremism and hate are incompatible with the nation’s values, particularly for those residing in the country on temporary visas. The swift action against Gruter reflects a growing commitment to protecting multiculturalism and combating rising far-right extremism in Australia.

This news has been carefully compiled from verified social media sources, international and UK-based news outlets, and thoroughly cross-checked with detailed online data. It is presented with professionalism, impartiality, and a human-centred narrative, providing readers with an engaging, in-depth account of the incident and its broader implications for Australian society.