A participant in a neo-Nazi demonstration outside the New South Wales Parliament has been forcibly removed from Australia, with the federal government sending a blunt message that hate has no place in the country.
Deportation Follows Controversial Rally
Matthew Gruter, a South African national, was among a group linked to the far-right National Socialist Network that protested on November 9. The group displayed a banner with the slogan "Abolish the Jewish lobby" during the gathering in Sydney.
Upon his arrival back in South Africa overnight, where he was met by media alongside his wife and baby, Gruter claimed unfair treatment. "What do you think? Murderers, rapists, they get to stay. I get detained for six hours and I get my visa cancelled by the minister, himself," he said.
Government's Unapologetic Stance on Hate
Australia's Minister for Immigration, Tony Burke, was unequivocal in his response. "People who hate Australia shouldn't come to Australia. It's simple as that," Burke stated, showing no remorse for the deportation action.
While the government considered Gruter's individual case straightforward, the minister acknowledged a larger problem. The protest involved approximately 60 other local members of the same extremist ideology, indicating a domestic challenge that deportation alone cannot solve.
Far-Right Group Eyes Federal Election
Authorities are concerned that the National Socialist Network is a growing organisation with political ambitions. The group claims to have gathered the 1500 signatures required to register as a political party and potentially stand candidates in the next federal election.
In a concerning admission for many, the Australian Electoral Commission (AEC) confirmed its hands are largely tied regarding the ideology of parties seeking registration. "The AEC has no scope to consider... the proposed party's political focus, policies, or ideology," a statement read.
Despite this, Minister Burke expressed confidence that Australian voters would reject such extremism. "If they end up in a situation where they're putting their numbers to the test, they will fail in spectacular fashion," he predicted.
The deportation of Matthew Gruter highlights the government's use of immigration powers against individuals promoting hate, but it also underscores the ongoing struggle against homegrown extremist movements seeking a political platform.
