Australian Citizen Family Faces Relocation as Father Matthew Gruter Faces Deportation

Matthew Gruter, an individual who has resided in Australia since the age of three, is facing deportation to New Zealand following the cancellation of his visa on character grounds. His wife, Jessica Gruter, and their two young children, aged five and two, are confirmed Australian citizens, a fact that has brought their family's difficult situation into public discourse. While Gruter faces removal from the country, his Australian citizen family would be compelled to either separate or relocate with him, leaving their established lives behind.

The deportation order stems from a 2019 assault conviction, for which Gruter received a 12-month suspended sentence. Under Section 501 of the Migration Act, a non-citizen's visa can be cancelled if they fail the character test, triggered by a sentence of 12 months or more imprisonment, even if suspended. Gruter's family has been actively fighting the deportation, appealing the decision to the Administrative Appeals Tribunal (AAT) and incurring significant legal costs.

Jessica Gruter expressed the family's devastation, stating to news.com.au, "They’re Australian citizens, they were born here, they go to school here, they have their friends here, they have their family here." She further elaborated on the difficult choice facing her children, who have never lived in New Zealand, by adding, "They’re just going to have to leave everything behind." This highlights the indirect impact of Gruter's deportation on his Australian citizen dependents.

The situation has prompted public questioning regarding media accuracy, with prominent figure Drew Pavlou tweeting, "> I previously read reporting that indicated Matthew Gruter’s wife and child were Australian citizens. Is it actually the case that they are being deported as well? Genuinely wondering if Seven News mate a mistake on this." Pavlou's query underscores the public's concern about the precise status of Gruter's family and the implications of his removal. The family has also initiated a public petition in an attempt to halt the deportation.