Richardson is accused of deliberately performing the salute “while realizing that the image is related to Nazi ideology” in a public place at City St restaurant in McKinnon, the courtroom was informed.

Defence, prosecution and Richardson all appeared on-line at this time, however Justice of the Peace Luisa Bazzani requested them to return into the courtroom in particular person.

Richardson’s lawyer Peter Monagle stated his shopper was making ready materials at hand to prosecutors asking he be given a diversion.

Diversion would imply Richardson is spared a felony conviction for the offence, nevertheless the prosecution should conform to this after which suggest it to a Justice of the Peace.

Monagle stated if the diversion was not accepted by the prosecution then the matter would proceed to a three-hour contest point out.

“The problems in dispute are authorized,” he informed the courtroom.

“There was an motion carried out by my shopper, however there are provisions within the act that we are saying cowl that, however the prosecution argues would not cowl that.”

He stated there was no related prior case regulation, as a result of the one folks convicted of the offence “brazenly stated they have been Nazis”.

The primary Victorian convicted of performing the gesture in public was Jacob Hersant, a far-right extremist who was handed a one-month jail time period and is interesting this.

Hersant carried out the salute in entrance of stories cameras in October 2023, days after it was outlawed.

Monagle requested for time to assemble supplies in favour of diversion, together with character and work references, and stated Richardson has 4 letters from individuals who have been on the occasion in query.

Bazzani stated if diversion is accepted, the matter will go earlier than a Justice of the Peace for consideration.

If diversion is just not accepted by the prosecution, then it’s open for Richardson to enter a plea and search a sentence indication, she stated.

Richardson, who’s on summons, will subsequent face courtroom on July 15.

He starred as Gary Canning in Neighbours from 2014 to 2020, and likewise appeared in Blue Heelers, McLeod’s Daughters and Wentworth.

He retired from appearing in 2021 and unsuccessfully stood as a politician within the 2022 federal and state elections.