An investigation into the Neighbours racism incident has concluded, just in time for the show’s farewell episode this summer.
The investigation was completed in December of last year, according to the Herald Sun in Australia, but the findings will not be made public.
Neighbours has been contacted by Metro.co.uk for comment on the matter.
After a number of cast members came out about on-set racism, it was announced in April that the Australian serial will be subjected to an independent inquiry.
Shareena Clanton told her social media followers that she found it difficult to ‘share anything positive’ about her time on the serial, saying that she had been subjected to’multiple racist traumas.’
‘It’s been lonely and traumatic to work in such a culturally dangerous space,’ the actress, who played a’second’ Sheila Canning on the long-running drama, wrote on Instagram, vowing that she would never work on the show again.
Meyne Wyatt, who portrayed Nate Kinski from 2014 to 2016, claimed on Twitter in response to Shareena’s allegations: ‘I experienced prejudice on set.’ It involved the C-word, which I called out, and it never happened again in my presence.’
Sharon Johal, who left the programme after playing Dipi Rebecchi, said she was subjected to “direct, indirect, and casual racism,” as well as racial slurs and derision, and that her four years on the show were “traumatic and difficult.”
Finally, Nicola Charles claimed that two members of the cast attempted to remove her from Australia.
The production firm behind Neighbours, Freemantle Media, then launched an independent investigation.
‘Fremantle is committed to providing an environment where workers and everyone in the workplace are treated fairly and with respect, and are free from unlawful discrimination, harassment, victimisation, and bullying,’ stated Chris Oliver-Taylor, CEO of Fremantle Asia Pacific, at the time.
‘We do not accept behaviour that is inconsistent with our Anti-Discrimination, Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO), Harassment, and Bullying Policy, and we take all complaints seriously, completely reviewing all charges.
‘We’ve commissioned Campfire X, Indigenous Cultural Protocols’ creative leaders, to conduct an independent evaluation of Neighbours and the production process.’
The cancellation of Neighbours was announced at the beginning of March.
An comprehensive search was begun after Channel 5 indicated they would be dropping the soap from their schedules, however Fremantle Media were unable to find a new home for the show.
