Australia to Deport British Man in Test of New Anti-Hate Laws

Hate has no home here. That's the stark message from Australia as it cancels the visa of a British national, setting him on a path to deportation for allegedly promoting Nazi ideology online. The move is a significant test of the country's recently tightened hate crime legislation.

The Charges and Allegations

The 43-year-old man, who was living in Queensland, was arrested and charged earlier this month, according to the Australian Federal Police (AFP). He's accused of using a social media account to post the Nazi swastika, promote pro-Nazi views, and call for violence against the Jewish community. Police reportedly began investigating him in October over alleged posts on X. When the platform blocked his account, he allegedly created a new one to continue posting similar content.

Authorities searched the man's home in Caboolture, outside Brisbane, in late November, seizing phones, weapons including axes and knives, and several swords 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.

A Firm "You Don't Get to Stay"

Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke confirmed this week that he had revoked the man's visa. The man is now in immigration detention in Brisbane. "He came here to hate - he doesn't get to stay," Burke told the Australian Broadcasting Corporation. "If you come to Australia on a visa, you are here as a guest."

The action follows a similar visa cancellation last month for Matthew Gruter, a South African national, after he attended a neo-Nazi rally. The British man can appeal the decision, leave voluntarily, or be deported. It's understood that police are considering whether to delay his deportation so he can face his court hearing scheduled for January.