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 amidst 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.
If you come to Australia on a visa, you are here as a guest, Burke told the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) on Wednesday. Last month, Burke also revoked the visa of another individual for attending a neo-Nazi rally.
The British national can appeal his visa being revoked, and he has the option to leave voluntarily or await deportation. Police are assessing whether to delay the deportation to allow the man to face court next month.
The BBC has contacted the UK Foreign Office for comment. Earlier this year, Australia tightened its hate crime laws, introducing mandatory jail terms for displaying hate symbols or performing a Nazi salute.
Police began investigating the British man in October over alleged posts on X, where his account was blocked, leading him to create a new one for continuing his offensive content. Authorities searched his home, seizing phones, weapons, and swords adorned with swastikas. He faces multiple charges, including three counts of displaying banned Nazi symbols and one count of using the internet to cause offense.
Australian Federal Police Assistant Commissioner Stephen Nutt emphasized the need to act swiftly against behavior that threatens social cohesion, stating, We want to ensure these symbols are not being used to fracture social cohesion... we will protect the dignity, safety, and cohesion of our diverse 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 amidst 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.
If you come to Australia on a visa, you are here as a guest, Burke told the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) on Wednesday. Last month, Burke also revoked the visa of another individual for attending a neo-Nazi rally.
The British national can appeal his visa being revoked, and he has the option to leave voluntarily or await deportation. Police are assessing whether to delay the deportation to allow the man to face court next month.
The BBC has contacted the UK Foreign Office for comment. Earlier this year, Australia tightened its hate crime laws, introducing mandatory jail terms for displaying hate symbols or performing a Nazi salute.
Police began investigating the British man in October over alleged posts on X, where his account was blocked, leading him to create a new one for continuing his offensive content. Authorities searched his home, seizing phones, weapons, and swords adorned with swastikas. He faces multiple charges, including three counts of displaying banned Nazi symbols and one count of using the internet to cause offense.
Australian Federal Police Assistant Commissioner Stephen Nutt emphasized the need to act swiftly against behavior that threatens social cohesion, stating, We want to ensure these symbols are not being used to fracture social cohesion... we will protect the dignity, safety, and cohesion of our diverse community.\
