Former Neighbors actor Damien Richardson is under investigation after he was filmed giving a Nazi salute to a crowd of far-right activists at an event in Melbourne.
Richardson, who also starred in shows like Blue Heelers and McLeod’s Daughters, spoke at a National Labor Alliance meeting in September.
The NWA says it advocates “the preservation of Western culture and identity.”
“Police are investigating a sighting showing a person performing a Nazi salute, which is believed to have occurred in Victoria,” Victoria Police said in a statement.
“The circumstances surrounding the incident have yet to be established and an investigation is underway.”
Before performing the Nazi salute, which was revealed on the ABC’s 7.30 programme, Richardson declared that Australia was experiencing “a war against men”.
“I thought it was a war against Western tradition, Western values… and actually, it’s an anti-white male agenda.”
Former Neighbors actor Damien Richardson (pictured) is under investigation after being filmed giving a Nazi salute to a crowd of far-right activists at an event in Melbourne.
It was then that Richardson raised his right arm and alluded to the fact that last week the far-right Jacob Hersant was sentenced to a month in prison for giving a Nazi salute.
‘Are they going to fine me now? Will I go to prison for five years? Richardson said.
‘I mean, really? I mean, this is absurd. This is crazy. It’s crazy. “It’s so crazy you can’t even believe it’s happening.”
After Richardson gave the salute, which was broadcast live on Facebook, members of the neo-Nazi group National Socialist Network could be heard cheering.
Even though his actions and words were filmed, the actor has attempted to distance himself from the neo-Nazis he targeted.
Matt Trihey, who organized the Melbourne meeting, said: “There has been a lot of misinformation about the event, about Damien, the National Workers Alliance and about me.”
Damien Richardson (left) is pictured with his Neighbors co-star Sharon Johal (right) on the set of the soap.
Damien Richardson (left) appears in a scene from the Australian soap opera Neighbors.
“Neither Damien nor I have been members of Nazi organizations and we have no connection with the NSN,” he told the alphabet.
“I am an advocate of freedom of expression and have no control over who buys online tickets to my events.”
Home Secretary Tony Burke said he was “disgusted” by the images.
“I was quite surprised when I saw the greeting and disgusted when I heard the applause,” he said.
“They might think they did it in a private place, but the moment you put things online, a new legal question arises about whether it was done publicly, so that will be something our authorities will work on.”
Daily Mail Australia has contacted Richardson for comment.