South African man who attended Neo-Nazi rally outside NSW parliament has visa cancelled
Matthew Gruter was photographed at a Neo-Nazi rally outside of NSW parliament house. (Supplied)
In short:
A man who moved to Australia from South Africa in 2022 has had his visa cancelled after he attended a Neo-Nazi rally at NSW parliament house.
Matthew Gruter was among around 60 men who attended a protest organised by Neo-Nazi group, National Socialist Network.
What's next?
NSW Premier Chris Minns has flagged changes to hate speech laws in response to the protest could be introduced to parliament this week.
A South African man who attended a Neo-Nazi protest outside NSW parliament house has had his visa revoked by the federal government.
Matthew Gruter was photographed wearing black and standing in the front row of the protest on November 8.
The protest was organised by well-known Neo-Nazi group, National Socialist Network (NSN).
The protesters displayed a banner reading "Abolish the Jewish lobby", and they repeatedly chanted "blood and honour" — a slogan associated with the Hitler Youth.
Minister for Home Affairs Tony Burke said "it was time to go home".
"If you are on a visa you are a guest. If you're a citizen you're a full member of the Australian family," he said.
"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."
Information available online suggests Mr Gruter was employed by engineering and design firm Aurecon.
The company did not respond to questions from ABC NEWS Verify about the cancellation of his visa.
The company previously did not confirm Mr Gruter was an employee, but a spokesman said it was "looking into the matter".
Mr Gruter and his wife arrived in Australia in early 2022, according to social media posts.
The posts suggested he entered on a visa which required sponsorship from an Australian business to work and stay in the country.
On Facebook, he was pictured wearing a silver bracelet engraved with the same Hitler Youth slogan shouted at the protest.
A picture of a bracelet taken from the social media of the wife of Matthew Gruter. The phrase "blood and honour" is linked to Nazis. (Supplied)
When ABC NEWS Verify asked Mr Gruter about the bracelet, and other matters, he responded: "Since when is it a crime to love and advocate for your own people?"
Speaking before Mr Gruter's visa was cancelled, NSW Premier Chris Minns flagged that changes to hate speech laws could be introduced to parliament as soon as this week.
"I want to make sure there's a clear message from civic society, the NSW Police and political leaders that Nazis aren't welcome," he said.
"There's no such thing as a part-time Nazi."
Chris Minns says there is "no such thing as a part-time Nazi". (ABC News)
"You can't hold down a job somewhere else in civic life and expect to be free from scrutiny by joining one of these horrible organisations," Mr Minns said.
Counter-extremism expert Greg Barton previously told the ABC there was little that legislation could do to prevent the rise of far-right extremist groups like the NSN.
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