Damien Richardson loses appeal over Nazi salute conviction

An Australian judge has dismissed an appeal by former soap opera actor Damien Richardson, upholding his conviction for performing a gesture resembling a Nazi salute. Richardson, 57, is known for his roles in Neighbours, City Homicide, and Blue Heelers.

The incident occurred in September 2024 during a political event organized by the National Workers Alliance in Melbourne. Richardson performed the gesture while addressing topics such as the “war on men” and “wokeism,” specifically in response to a newspaper article that had compared him to Adolf Hitler. While Richardson argued the gesture was performed for “artistic or educational purposes” to mock the comparison, Judge Kate Hawkins ruled that his primary purpose was political rather than artistic.

Judge Hawkins stated that whether the act was intended to be satirical or humorous was “immaterial” to the charge. Richardson is scheduled to return to court on September 1 for sentencing, which may include a community correction order involving supervision, community work, or treatment conditions.