Former Neighbours star Damien Richardson has been charged for performing a Nazi salute at an event in Melbourne in September.
The 54-year-old, who played the guest character Gary Canning in the Australian soap opera in 2014, allegedly made the gesture at an event in Melbourne where far-right activists were present.
Displaying a Nazi symbol carries a maximum penalty of 12 months’ jail time and an $11,000 (£5,620) fine or both, as per a law introduced by New South Wales (NSW) Parliament in 2022.
Video footage shows the former soap star giving a speech at a meeting for the National Workers Alliance – a group which stands for the “preservation of Western culture and identity”.
On Wednesday, 18 December, police confirmed to ABC in a statement: “A man has been charged on summons with one count of performing a Nazi gesture in a public place.
“The 54-year-old Glenroy man is expected to appear before Moorabbin Magistrates’ Court on 19 March 2025.”
The Independent has contacted Richardson for comment.
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Richardson has directed questions about the alleged incident to the National Workers Alliance meeting organiser, Matt Trihey, per ABC.
Trihey told the outlet there had “been a lot of misinformation spoken about the event”.
He added: “Neither Damien or I have ever been members of Nazi organisations and we have no connection with the NSN (National Socialist Network).
“I am a free speech advocate and have no control over who purchases online tickets to my events.”
At the September event, Richardson had been invited to give a speech about racial identity and societal change.
“There is a war on men,” he said. “I thought it was a war on Western tradition, Western values…and actually, it’s an anti white male agenda.”
After making this comment, Richardson allegedly performed the Nazi salute, adding: “It’s crazy. It’s so crazy you can’t believe it’s even happening.”
In November, a 25-year-old self-described Nazi became the first person in Australia jailed for making the salute and was ordered to spend one month behind bars.
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Jacob Hersant was a member of the National Socialist Network, an organization that promoted white supremacy, deportation of immigrants and far-right actors, Magistrate Brett Sonnet said.
While performing the salute last year, he praised Nazi leader Adolf Hitler and said, “Australia for the white man.”
Sonnet said the 25-year-old’s words were “clearly racist and seek to promote white supremacy in Australia”.