Neighbours star under investigation after alleged Nazi salute
<p>Former <em>Neighbours</em> star Damien Richardson is under investigation by police after allegedly performing a Nazi salute at an event in September. </p>
<p>Richardson, who played Gary Canning in seven seasons of <em>Neighbours</em>, was recorded performing the gesture during a speech at an event run by the National Workers Alliance (NWA), who bills itself as a nationalist organisation dedicated to the "preservation of Western Culture and Identity".</p>
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<p>In an excerpt of his speech, which was aired as part of an <em>ABC 7.30</em> investigation into the rise of the far-right movement in Australia, the actor is heard stating, "There is a war on men".</p>
<p>"I thought it was a war on Western tradition, Western values… and actually it's an anti-white-male-agenda," the actor said at the event.</p>
<p>He is then seen appearing to perform a Nazi salute and mockingly asking if he would be locked up for it, saying, “Am I allowed to do that? Am I allowed to do that, or am I going to be fined now? Am I going to go to jail for five years?” </p>
<p>“Oh, Richardson did the salute. I mean, really. I mean this is absurd. This is insane. It’s crazy. It’s so crazy you can’t believe it’s even happening.”</p>
<p>In October 2023, laws came into effect making it an offence to perform a Nazi salute in public or in public view.</p>
<p>A person who commits an <a href="https://www.vic.gov.au/fact-sheet-nazi-symbol-prohibition" target="_blank" rel="noopener">offence</a> could face fines of $23,000, 12 months in prison, or both. </p>
<p>Victoria Police has confirmed it is investigating the incident, saying in a statement, “Police are investigating vision which shows a person performing a Nazi salute, believed to be in Victoria."</p>
<p>“The circumstances surrounding the incident are yet to be established and an investigation is ongoing.”</p>
<p>While Richardson's actions were applauded by neo-Nazi organisation National Socialist Network (NSN), both Richardson and the organiser of the NWA said they are not neo-Nazis. </p>
<p>"There has been a lot of misinformation spoken about the event, Damien, the National Workers Alliance and myself," Matt Trihey told the <em>ABC</em>.</p>
<p>"Neither Damien or I have ever been members of Nazi organisations and we have no connection with the NSN. I am a free speech advocate and have no control over who purchases online tickets to my events."</p>
<p><em>Image credits: ABC</em></p>
