The Australian Minister of Home Affairs, Tony Burke, has revoked the visa of a British citizen who was arrested for displaying prohibited Nazi symbols. The 43-year-old man was charged by the Australian Federal Police for exhibiting these symbols while residing in Queensland.
Burke emphasized that while most visa holders are valued guests in Australia, those who promote hate are not welcome. This action follows a recent tragedy at a Hanukkah event at Bondi Beach, where a father and son carried out a deadly attack reportedly motivated by Islamic State ideology.
In response to the incident, Burke has introduced measures to combat hate speech, including enhanced powers to deport individuals linked to hate groups. Authorities conducted an investigation into the British man’s online activities, identifying his promotion of a pro-Nazi agenda and calls for violence against the Jewish community on social media.
During a search at the man’s residence in Caboolture, authorities seized weapons adorned with swastikas and a mobile phone. The man faces charges related to the public display of Nazi symbols and using online platforms to intimidate and offend others, with potential imprisonment for up to five years per offense.
Additionally, a law enforcement operation targeting the importation of prohibited symbols led to the arrest of a 21-year-old in Queensland and the issuance of a court notice to a 25-year-old in Sydney for unlawful activities related to extremist materials and Nazi gestures in public.
Federal police stressed their commitment to safeguarding social harmony in Australia, pledging to address threats through various means, including education, preventive actions, and legal measures. Assistant Commissioner Stephen Nutt reiterated the AFP’s stance against threats and violence directed at vulnerable communities, emphasizing the agency’s intolerance towards such behaviors.