Pre-Dawn Immigration Raid Detains South African National
In a dramatic early morning operation, Australian immigration authorities have detained a South African man whose visa was revoked following his participation in a neo-Nazi rally in Sydney. Matthew Gruter was taken into custody between 4am and 5am on Tuesday during a raid on his home, according to official statements.
The Home Affairs Minister, Tony Burke, confirmed the detention, stating that Gruter was subsequently transferred to the Villawood detention centre where he will remain pending deportation proceedings. This action follows Burke's announcement on Monday that he had cancelled Gruter's visa.
Minister Defends Decision Against Hate Speech
Burke strongly defended his decision to cancel the visa, questioning how someone could claim to care about Australian social cohesion while attending a Nazi rally. "What could be a clearer example of someone showing they don't care about cohesion in Australia, than turning up to a Nazi rally?" Burke stated during a Tuesday press conference.
The minister further emphasised that "multicultural Australia and modern Australia are the same thing" and that individuals involved in neo-Nazism shouldn't pretend to be patriotic. "They hate modern Australia," he declared, adding that his priority was ensuring Australians feel safe in their own country.
Group Raises Funds Amid Limited Appeal Options
Gruter's organisation, which identifies as White Australia (formerly known as the National Socialist Network), has launched a fundraising campaign claiming they had raised $20,000 by Tuesday afternoon. The group stated on social media that Gruter plans to "fight to remain in Australia via every possible avenue."
However, Minister Burke indicated that Gruter has "very limited" options for appeal because the visa cancellation resulted from a ministerial decision rather than a departmental one. "I expect Gruter will be gone very soon," Burke commented, though it's understood judicial review remains a potential avenue.
The rally that prompted the visa cancellation occurred more than a week earlier outside the New South Wales state parliament in Sydney and featured anti-Jewish sentiments, including chants of the Hitler Youth phrase "blood and honour."
Political support for the government's action came from Shadow Home Affairs Minister Jono Duniam, who told 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 toward community members.
