Moloney talks 'Neighbours' diversity issue

Ryan Moloney has spoken out in defence of Neighbours amid claims the soap doesn't truly represent a modern multicultural Australia.

The 29-year-old actor, who next month celebrates his fifteenth anniversary with the series, said while he believes Neighbours could go further with multiculturalism; he also sees that the soap deals in generalisations about Australian society.

"In terms of Neighbours being more multicultural, yes absolutely we could definitely go further with that. It would be fantastic to do that," Moloney told TV Tonight.

"Having said that, you've got to remember that Neighbours is a beast that deals in generalisations. We do it in broad, brushstrokes. So if Australia is more white then there's going to be a more-white representation amongst the cast. Now being that Australia is far more multicultural, absolutely... make the show more multicultural."

Last month, Moloney's Neighbours co-star Carla Bonner said Australians should stop seeing the series as “uncool” and be more supportive, before adding that she was "proud" and "grateful" to the soaps loyal fans.