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Former Neighbours Actor Found Guilty of Performing Gesture Resembling Nazi Salute

The magistrate said the raised-arm gesture at a ticketed political event met Victoria’s ban on acts that can be mistaken for a Nazi salute.

Overview

  • Magistrate Justin Foster ruled the motion was likely to be confused with a Nazi salute and occurred in a public place.
  • The court rejected claims of an artistic or theatrical purpose, finding the speech at a licensed venue did not qualify for an exemption.
  • The magistrate said the act did not display loyalty or obedience to Nazism, describing it as a mocking gesture directed at The Age or at himself.
  • Video from the September 14, 2024 National Workers Alliance event and expert evidence from Holocaust historian Konrad Kwiet underpinned the finding.
  • A pre-sentence hearing is set for December 4 under laws carrying maximum penalties of a $23,000 fine or 12 months in jail.