3 months ago
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A neo-Nazi who took part in an anti-Jewish protest outside NSW Parliament has been taken into immigration detention ahead of his looming deportation back to his native South Africa.
At the same time, Australia Post says it is investigating whether one of its employees – a regional delivery manager – was among the 60-odd members of the National Socialist Network involved in the rally.
Matthew Gruter (third from left) with other members of the NSN outside NSW Parliament on November 8.
Matthew Gruter, a civil engineer and senior member of the National Socialist Network, had his visa cancelled by the Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke on Monday after the Herald revealed the South African native was among the black-clad neo-Nazis who shouted antisemitic slogans at the rally last Saturday.
Gruter was active on social media accounts linked to the extreme-right group in the early hours of Tuesday morning. In a post written after midnight, Gruter said he would “exhaust all legal options” to avoid returning to his home country.
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In a statement published by an NSN-affiliated website, Gruter said Australian Border Force had come to his home early on Tuesday morning and that he had been taken to Villawood detention centre. He said the visa had been cancelled on character grounds.
Burke likened Gruter to an unwelcome house guest in justifying the visa cancellation.
“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.”
Gruter was employed as an engineer in Sydney by multinational firm Aurecon. The company has not responded to multiple requests for comment. He had been in Australia for about three years on a visa.
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A public fundraising page set up for Gruter has raised $16,000. “This unjust decision by Tony Burke may be unable to be challenged and the least we can all do is take away from the financial burden on him and the distressing move for him and his young family,” the text on the page said.
Several of the donors’ usernames and messages contained Nazi allusions.
The Herald identified Gruter along with other members of the NSN, after the rally on November 9. One, Alex Volvach, is a Russian-educated contractor with a police-issued licence to install and maintain security devices.
Australia Post said it was investigating the potential involvement of one of its employees “as a priority”.
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