Matthew Gruter, a South African citizen who has been in Australia since 2022 is getting the boot. Seems the last straw as far as the government is concerned was when Gruter took part in an anti-Jewish protest outside the New South Wales parliament organised by the National Socialist Network. Although Gruter has committed no crime (that we know of) whilst in Australia, he is now awaiting deportation in the Villawood Detention Centre for his activism within the White Supremacist Movement.

I would think the vast majority of fair minded Australians don't agree with Mr Gruter's "blood and honour" notions, but he does have a right to his beliefs, providing he's not calling for the violent destruction of others. Australia's Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke said Mr Gruter's visa had been cancelled on "character grounds", adding that those who attended the rally were not "patriotic". "Multicultural Australia and modern Australia are the same thing... They hate modern Australia," he said. Sarah Schwartz, executive officer of the Jewish Council of Australia, seemed rather pleased that Mr Gruter is going. But $20,000 has been donated from people in support of these Neo-Nazi's, so someone agrees with them.

What's the Forums opinion on Mr Gruter's swift kick out of Australia?

Dear Paul,

«What's the Forums opinion on Mr Gruter's swift kick out of Australia?»

1. This Gruter guy does not seem to be a nice fellow.
2. Nobody owes anyone a visa, so it was fine to cancel his visa.
3. Detaining people is a form of violence: it is cruel and not OK to detain people unless it is absolutely necessary as a last resort in self-defence against physical threat, which does not seem to be the case here.
4. While he should not be detained or deported, Gruter should be informed that he is no longer welcome in Australia and his visa has been cancelled, thus unless he leaves on the next available flight, he will no longer enjoy any protection here.