Australian officials have permanently banned controversial streamer Sneako from returning to the country after revoking his visa following public backlash over his online rhetoric.
The YouTuber, whose real name is Nicolas Kenn De Balinthazy, recently entered Australia after being granted a visa, according to Sky News Australia. Days later, Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke confirmed the visa had been canceled and said Sneako would never be allowed back into the country.
“Our government has made it very clear we will use every power available to us to protect our community from people coming to this country to spread hatred,” Burke told Sky News.
Under immigration law changes passed earlier this year, Burke said the cancellation also triggers a lifetime ban on future visa applications.
“That means it’s not simply the current visa that is cancelled, there is now a lifetime ban preventing him from ever applying for another visa to Australia,” Burke said. “We are a better country when he is somewhere else.”
Sneako has previously faced suspensions and bans across several social media platforms after being consistently accused of spreading antisemitic rhetoric and extremist views through videos and livestreams shared online. Reports indicate the Department of Home Affairs reassessed his visa after scrutiny surrounding his arrival in Australia intensified.
Shadow Home Affairs Minister Jonathon Duniam publicly backed the decision to remove Sneako from the country.
“For anyone who goes and Googles this individual, this strange character, is a misogynist. He praises Hitler. He is an antisemite,” Duniam said.
Sneako denied the reports in a social media post, claiming that he only left the country because he decided to go home.
