By WAYNE FLOWER, MELBOURNE CORRESPONDENT
Published: | Updated:
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Former Neighbours actor Damien Richardson is not enjoying a surge in renewed fame years after his final appearance on the popular Aussie soap.
On Tuesday, Richardson appeared in the Moorabbin Magistrates' Court after being charged under Victoria's anti-Nazi salute laws.
Richardson wasallegedly filmed doing a Nazi salute to a crowd of far-right activists at an event inMelbournelast year.
The actor, who also starred in shows such as Blue Heelers and McLeod's Daughters, was speaking at a National Workers Alliance meeting in September.
The alleged act made national headlines at the time, withNWA claiming it stood 'for the preservation of Western culture and identity'.
Appearing in court alongside his mother, the court heard Richardson was keen to keep the suburb he resided in a secret due to some unwanted attention.
'Just recently, your honour, Mr Richardson did have posters of him posted outside bus stops in the area to which he lives,' his lawyer told MagistrateAngela Bolger.
'There has been a concerted effort to get Mr Richardson to feel shame by some within that area.'
Former Neighbours actor Damien Richardson (pictured) was allegedly filmed doing a Nazi salute to a crowd of far-right activists at an event in Melbourne
The purported posters asked commuters if they felt comfortable having Richardson 'living next door' to them.
It was a request refused by the magistrate, who directed Richardson to appear in court again in June.
It is understood Richardson plans to contest the charge of performing the salute.
In October,Australian far-right extremistJacob Hersant, 25, became the first Victorian convicted of intentionally performing the salute in public and chanting 'heil Hitler.'
Hersant wassentenced to one month in jail, but was bailed to appeal the decision.
Before doing the Nazi salute, which was revealed by ABC's 7.30, Richardson declared that Australia was experiencing 'a war on men'.
'I thought it was a war on Western tradition, Western values … and actually, it's an anti-white male agenda.'
It was then that Richardson raised his right arm and alluded to the fact thatHersant was given a one-month jail term for doing a Nazi salute.
Richardson was allegedly defendingAustralian far-right extremist Jacob Hersant
Damien Richardson (left) is pictured with Neighbours co-starSharon Johal (right) on the soap opera's set
'Am I gonna be fined now? I'm gonna go to jail for five years?' Richardson said.
'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.'
After Richardson did the salute, which was broadcast live on Facebook, members of the National Socialist Network neo-Nazi group could be heard cheering.
Despite his actions and words being filmed, the actor has tried to distance himself from the neo-Nazis he was addressing.
Matt Trihey, who organised the Melbourne gathering, said 'there has been a lot of misinformation spoken about the event, Damien, the National Workers Alliance and myself'.
'Neither Damien or I have ever been members of Nazi organisations and we have no connection with the NSN,' he told the ABC.
'I am a free speech advocate and have no control over who purchases online tickets to my events.'
Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke said he was 'disgusted' at the footage.
Damien Richardson (left) is pictured in a scene from Australian soap opera Neighbours
'I was shocked enough when I saw the salute, 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 there's a new legal question on whether it was done publicly, so that will be something our authorities will work through.'
Daily Mail Australia contacted Richardson for comment.
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