UK man arrested over alleged nazi symbols in Queensland faces deportation
A British national charged with displaying nazi symbols has had his visa cancelled.
Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke confirmed on Wednesday the 43-year-old was facing deportation following his arrest in Queensland earlier this month.
“I said some time ago that, as far as freedom speech was concerned, I had no time for hatred when it came to cancelling visas,” Mr Burke told ABC News Breakfast.
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By continuing you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy.“If you come to Australia on a visa, you are here as a guest. Almost everyone on a visa is a good guest and welcome guest in our country.
“But, if someone comes here for the purposes of hate, they can leave – and that’s what we’re doing.”
In a statement at the time of the man’s arrest, the Australian Federal Police alleged the man had used two handles on X, formerly Twitter, to display the nazi Hakenkreuz and espouse a pro-nazi ideology with a specific hatred for, and violence towards, the Jewish community.
The AFP allege the man posted the content on several occasions between October 10 and November 5, 2025 in violation of Commonwealth law.
It is alleged X blocked the main account the man was using, which led him to create a second handle with a similar name to continue posting offensive content.
Several weapons, including swords bearing swastika symbology, axes and knives, were also seized from the man’s home.
The man has been charged with three counts of public display of prohibited nazi symbols and one count of using a carriage service to menace, harass, or cause offence.
Each charge carries a maximum penalty of five years’ imprisonment if convicted.
Mr Burke foreshadowed legislation to increase his power “to make cancellations of exactly this nature”.
He said the Home Affairs Department had to determine not just if someone had engaged in hate speech but also establish the impact on that community and “to what extent will that discord across Australia”.
“My view is that the incitement of hate should be enough,” Mr Burke said.
“That, of itself, says you are not a welcome guest in this country, and we should be able to cancel visas on that basis alone.”
A 21-year-old Queensland man and a 25-year-old man from Sydney’s northwest were also served with court attendance notices earlier this month in relation to the alleged display of prohibited symbols.
The Queensland man was arrested after what police alleged was the importation of a significant quantity of flags and literature.
Originally published as UK man arrested over alleged Nazi symbols in Qld facies deportation
