Neighbours actor found guilty of performing Nazi salute at public event

The former Neighbours star Damien Richardson has been found guilty of performing a Nazi salute in public. The Australian actor was charged after performing the band gesture at a crowd during a political event in 2024. The gathering was held at McKinnon Restaurant, where Damian took to the stage and addressed the attendees through a microphone. The stunt, which was filmed and released, saw the 56-year-old throw his right arm in the air during his speech.

The event was held by the National Workers Alliance, a group that, according to its website, has missions that include "Restore to natural order," "Preserve Western Culture and Identity", and "Protect Family Rights and Traditions". Richardson performed the gesture as he mocked a news article that he claimed "likened" him to Adolf Hitler. After the three-day trial at the Moorabbin Magistrates Court, the magistrate Justin Foster found the actor guilty of performing the gesture, which he said: "Clearly looked like a Nazi salute."

He declared: "I do find a Nazi gesture... has been performed. For those reasons, I find the accused guilty of the charge."

In the video, which was posted on social media and played in the courtroom, Richardson complained about an "anti-white male agenda" and "wokism" in Australia.

He also suggested that white Australians are being made to feel like an "illegitimate culture".

Addressing the crowd, Richardson stated that he was "enraged" about allegedly being labelled as a neo-Nazi for being involved in anti-vaccine and anti-lockdown protests during the pandemic.

Richardson added: "I grew up celebrating my grandfather's war effort."

The ex-Neighbours star then alleged that The Age newspaper "likened me to Adolf Hitler" in the August 2023 article and raised his right arm, which was met with applause and cheers from the crowd.

In the clip, he said: "Yep, that guy, am I allowed to do that or am I going to be fined now? This is absurd, this is insane, this is crazy ... just the slur alone is enough to do the damage."

Richardson's solicitor, Peter Monagle, said his client was paid $500 to perform at the event, and the alleged salute was to mock the alleged claim made by The Age, for "artistic or theatrical purposes", and claimed the restaurant was closed, so it was not a public place.

Mr Monagle added the actor was not a member of the National Workers Alliance and had differing views from its leader, Matt Trihey.

Magistrate Justin Foster found the gesture was not performed for artistic, theatrical or academic reasons, and even if the venue was closed for a function, it was still a licensed premises, which was a public place.