(SYDNEY, NEW SOUTH WALES, AUSTRALIA) A South African civil engineer is facing removal from Australia after the federal government cancelled his visa over his alleged role in a neo‑Nazi rally outside the New South Wales Parliament, in one of the most forceful immigration responses yet to rising extremist activity. The Home Affairs Minister, Tony Burke, ordered the cancellation on 18 November 2025, and the man is now held at Villawood Immigration Detention Centre while he weighs limited appeal options and the prospect of being sent back to South Africa.
Arrest and alleged involvement at the rally
The detainee, identified as Matthew Gruter, was arrested in a pre‑dawn operation by Australian Border Force officers at his Sydney home. He was detained 10 days after joining about 60 people at an anti‑Jewish protest on Macquarie Street, directly outside the state Parliament.
The event was organised by the far‑right National Socialist Network and featured:
– Nazi‑style banners
– Hitler Youth slogans
– Open calls targeting the Jewish community
Images from the 8 November rally show Gruter wearing an armband with the Hitler Youth phrase “blood and honour” and helping to lead chants at the gathering. Protesters held banners calling to “abolish the Jewish lobby” and used gestures and slogans linked with Nazi ideology as they marched along Macquarie Street, a central Sydney boulevard that houses the Parliament, courts and key government buildings.
Police monitored the demonstration, but most of the immediate fallout has unfolded through immigration powers rather than criminal charges.
Legal basis for visa cancellation
According to the government’s account, Minister Burke used section 116 of the Migration Act to cancel Gruter’s work visa on character and public interest grounds. The minister argued that the neo‑Nazi rally promoted hate and racial vilification in a way that clashed with Australian values and that Gruter posed an ongoing risk to the community.
Under the law, the minister can cancel a visa if a non‑citizen’s presence is seen as a threat to:
– Public safety
– Public order
– The good order of the community
Officials say Gruter has been given 30 days to leave Australia voluntarily or face deportation to South Africa. Until he departs or exhausts review options, he will remain in immigration detention.
Important: People in this position may ask the Department of Home Affairs to reconsider a cancellation decision or apply to the Administrative Appeals Tribunal, but the Tribunal’s review is typically narrow and procedural.
Review and appeal options
People affected by a ministerial cancellation can pursue limited routes:
1. Request a reconsideration by the Department of Home Affairs.
2. Apply to the Administrative Appeals Tribunal (AAT).
3. Seek judicial review in a federal court on whether the law was applied correctly (a complex and often costly step).
Legal specialists note:
– The AAT generally examines procedural matters (for example, whether the correct legal steps were followed).
– The AAT cannot usually re‑argue the broader merits of the minister’s decision.
– If the minister personally signed off on the cancellation (not a delegate), AAT avenues may be further restricted.
– Temporary workers like Gruter, separated from family and income, may struggle to mount lengthy legal challenges while in detention.
Employment and immigration status
Gruter first arrived in Australia in 2022 on an employer‑sponsored work visa and had been working as a civil engineer before his arrest.
Consequences of the cancellation:
– He can no longer legally work in Australia.
– His sponsoring company must not keep him on staff.
– The case serves as a warning for other temporary visa holders who may be tempted to join extremist protests or similar activity.
Government and political response
The Department of Home Affairs has emphasised that visa holders are expected to obey Australian laws and respect community standards, even when engaging in political protest. Its general guidance, set out on its official site at homeaffairs.gov.au, explains that visas can be cancelled if a person is considered to pose a danger to the community or is involved in violence, harassment or serious vilification.
The government has moved quickly after the Macquarie Street rally to show that immigration status is not a shield for people who promote racial hatred.
Politically, the decision has drawn bipartisan support, with both government and opposition figures backing the use of immigration law against non‑citizens who take part in hardline far‑right activity. Minister Burke has warned that any non‑citizen who engages in conduct that “incites discord” could face similar action — wording commentators say is broad enough to cover a wide range of extremist messaging, especially when it targets minority groups or promotes racial hierarchy.
State‑level measures and proposals
At the state level, New South Wales Premier Chris Minns has promised a tougher stance on neo‑Nazi behaviour following the Macquarie Street scenes. He has announced plans to introduce new hate speech measures in the state Parliament, including laws that directly cover Nazi symbols, slogans and gestures.
The Premier has said he wants police and prosecutors to have clearer tools to respond when neo‑Nazi groups stage public events, so that criminal and civil options sit alongside immigration responses. Details of those measures are still being developed.
Community reaction and broader implications
For Jewish community groups and anti‑racism advocates, the Gruter case sends a mixed message:
– Positives: They welcome the clear signal that foreign nationals who spread Nazi ideology may lose the right to stay in the country.
– Concerns: Some worry that focusing heavily on immigration measures might overshadow the need for stronger criminal laws and more investment in education and community safety.
Critics argue that attendees at a neo‑Nazi rally should face clear legal consequences whether they are citizens or non‑citizens.
Immigration lawyers report increased inquiries from clients concerned that:
– Joining political rallies,
– Posting extreme content online, or
– Associating with known hate groups
could put their visas at risk. Officials say each case will turn on its facts, but the line has been drawn sharply where conduct targets racial or religious groups.
Legal context and use of ministerial powers
Legal specialists underline how broad ministerial powers have become in the immigration system. Under section 116, the minister does not have to prove a criminal offence to cancel a visa; instead, the decision can rest on an assessment that the person’s presence is against “the public interest.”
Analysis by VisaVerge.com notes these powers have been used in recent years not only in terrorism and serious crime matters, but increasingly in response to behaviour seen as extremist or deeply offensive to community values.
Key timeline
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| 2022 | Gruter arrived in Australia on an employer‑sponsored work visa |
| 8 November 2025 | Neo‑Nazi rally on Macquarie Street (images show Gruter participating) |
| 18 November 2025 | Minister Tony Burke cancelled Gruter’s visa under section 116 |
| Within 30 days of cancellation | Gruter must leave Australia voluntarily or face deportation |
Takeaway
Gruter’s detention and visa cancellation highlight how quickly a temporary migrant’s life can unravel when immigration rules collide with extremist politics. For many on employer‑sponsored visas, legal status depends not only on job performance and sponsorship but also on public conduct — including participation in protests that promote racial hatred.
As Gruter remains at Villawood, separated from his former workplace and facing an uncertain future, his case will be closely watched by other temporary visa holders and by communities concerned about the rise of organised neo‑Nazi activity in Australia.
This Article in a Nutshell
Matthew Gruter, a South African civil engineer, had his employer‑sponsored visa cancelled by Minister Tony Burke on 18 November 2025 under section 116 after images showed him at an 8 November neo‑Nazi rally on Macquarie Street. Arrested at home, he is detained at Villawood and given 30 days to leave or be deported. Appeals are limited — the AAT mainly assesses procedure — and the case highlights stronger immigration use against extremist conduct alongside proposed state hate speech measures.
