Booted out of Australia: What we know about Matthew Gruter's return to SA
Here is why Australia deported him over an extremist gathering.
Image: Timothy Bernard/ Independent Newspapers
South African Neo-Nazi Matthew Gruter landed in the country on Thursday after his visa was cancelled by the Australian government over an antisemitic demonstration.
He had taken part in a neo-Nazi protest outside the New South Wales Parliament in Australia.
Gruter, a civil engineer, arrived at OR Tambo International Airport on Thursday afternoon with his wife and their one-month-old baby. He initially attempted to shield his face with luggage but became visibly distressed when approached by the media.
During the encounter, he exchanged heated words with a photographer and in viral footage was seen close to physically confronting the photographer.
"Are you trying to get us attacked and murdered in South Africa? Is that what you are trying to do, trying to label us?" he asked.
Pressed for comment about his removal from Australia, Gruter claimed that serious offenders were allowed to remain in the country while he was expelled simply for being present at the protest.
"I got detained for six hours and had my visa cancelled by the minister himself...I just stood there over some nonsense. What do you think, do you think it's fair?" he asked again.
Why did Australia kick him out
The group, which identified itself as "White Australia, formerly the National Socialist Network", had lined up in formation on the street, dressed in black and holding a banner that read "Abolish the Jewish Lobby".
Gruter, who had lived in Sydney with his family after immigrating in 2022, was reportedly among roughly 60 members accused of chanting Hitler Youth slogans.
Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke defended the decision to remove him from the country.
"If you are on a visa, you are a guest; 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," Burke said.
New South Wales Premier Chris Minns condemned the demonstration, describing it as a disturbing act of hatred.
"No one who lives in Sydney should have to put up with that kind of hate speech on the steps of the People's House."
"It's obviously shameful that these people feel that they have the right to demonstrate in such a despicable, hateful way, spewing division and racism on the streets of Sydney," he said.
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