Anti-vax Neighbours star Damien Richardson running as a Senate candidate

Former Neighbours star Damien Richardson, who achieved notoriety last year for his opposition to Covid vaccines, will stand for election as a Senate candidate.

The 47-year-old actor, known for playing Gary Canning on the Channel 10 soap, announced his political ambitions in a video posted to social media this week.

In the clip, he vowed to ‘continue to fight for freedoms eroded by the government’. 

Announcement: Former Neighbours star Damien Richardson, who achieved notoriety last year for his opposition to Covid vaccines, will stand for election as a Senate candidate

‘Hi guys, my name is Damien Richardson… I really hope to be your elected candidate in the Senate at the upcoming federal election so I can continue to stand up for our freedoms,’ he began. 

‘So many of you believe [our freedoms] have been absolutely eroded by overbearing government mandates the past two years.’

He also referenced having attended anti-vaccine protests in Melbourne, which he described as fighting for ‘freedom of choice’.

Richardson last made headlines in January when he screamed at Salvation Army staff and plastered hand-written signs on the storefront alongside a group of anti-vaxxers.

Politics: The 47-year-old actor, known for playing Gary Canning on the Channel 10 soap, announced his political ambitions in a video posted to social media this week

He was seen arguing with one of the workers outside the op shop on Bourke Street in Melbourne.

The group had earlier stuck up signs with anti-vaccination slogans such as ‘God does not discriminate’ and ‘Op shops are essential services’, while shouting at workers to let the unvaccinated in.

The Salvation Army had no control over Daniel Andrews’ government’s health restrictions which prevented unvaccinated people from shopping at non-essential stores.

Incident: Richardson last made headlines in January when he screamed at Salvation Army staff and plastered hand-written signs on the storefront alongside a group of anti-vaxxers 

In October 2021, Richardson also vented his anger while attending a sit-in protest along Acland Street’s dining precinct in St Kilda.

He joined protesters who were demonstrating against ‘vaccine segregation’ after stay-at-home orders were only lifted for fully vaccinated residents.

A maskless Richardson commentated on the sit-in demonstration in a video for St Kilda for True Arrow, a YouTube channel with strong anti-lockdown sentiment.

Protests: In October 2021, Richardson also vented his anger while attending a sit-in protest along Acland Street’s dining precinct in St Kilda