A British national in Australia has had his visa cancelled and faces deportation for allegedly displaying Nazi symbols.
The 43-year-old man living in Queensland was arrested and charged earlier this month, after allegedly using a social media account to post the Nazi swastika, promote pro-Nazi ideology and call for violence towards the Jewish community.
The man was taken into immigration detention this week in Brisbane and is due to face court in January. Police have been cracking down on the use of prohibited symbols amid a recent rise in antisemitism and right-wing extremism.
Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke stated: He came here to hate - he doesn't get to stay. Burke emphasized that anyone granted a visa to Australia is a guest, and the country will not tolerate hate speech.
Last month, Burke also revoked the visa of another individual, Matthew Gruter, a South African, who had been living in Australia since 2022 and was seen attending a neo-Nazi rally.
The British man has the option to appeal his visa revocation or leave Australia voluntarily. Authorities are currently assessing whether to delay his deportation to allow him to face court next month.
Investigations into the British man began in October, following offensive posts on social media. Police subsequently searched his home, seizing phones, weapons, and items adorned with swastika symbols.
He was charged with three counts of displaying banned Nazi symbols and one count of using the internet to cause offense. Australian Federal Police maintain that such symbols threaten social cohesion and assert their commitment to prosecuting hate crimes.
