NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet has apologised for dressing up as a Nazi at his 21st party. Photo / news.com.au
NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet has apologised for dressing up as a Nazi at his 21st party. Photo / news.com.au
An Australian state politician has admitted that he wore a Nazi uniform at his 21st “fancy dress” themed birthday party.
NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet was shaking and looked visibly emotional as he made the startling admission at a press conference this afternoon. Now 40 years old, this dates his birthday party to 2003.
He said he decided to make the public admission after a colleague alerted him of knowing about the costume two days ago.
The news comes as the Premier is gearing up for the state election in 72 days on March 25.
“When it was raised to me two days ago, I realised I needed to tell the truth and not someone else,” he said.
While he was asked multiple times, he also didn’t confirm whether photos had been taken that night and whether other parliamentary members had been present.
“I’m not the person at 21,” he said.
“I’m deeply ashamed of what I did. And I’m truly sorry for the hurt and the pain that it will cause people right across our state.
NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet has apologised for dressing up as a Nazi at his 21st party. Photo / news.com.au
“Particularly members of the Jewish community, holocaust survivors, veterans and their families. I’m truly sorry for that terrible mistake.”
When asked why he dressed up as a Nazi, he said “I was naive” and “didn’t understand what that represented to other people”.
“My experience in life, I’ve become a very passionate supporter of Jewish people. I’ve understood first hand and lived experiences through the people I’ve spoken to,” he said.
“Who I am today is formed by the good things I’ve done in my life, not the mistakes I’ve made.”
Perrottet said the incident had played on his mind “a number of times” and caused a lot of “anxiety” throughout his career.
“There have been times throughout many years where I’ve thought of speaking about it and like I said, it’s been a difficult thing.”
The Premier said it was a “terrible, grave mistake” and a story that should have been told by himself.
He repeatedly dismissed questions about whether he had been pressured to reveal the information from external sources.
Perrottet confirmed that he had spoken with Jewish community leaders, before the press conference.
He had also told Deputy Premier Paul Toole and Treasurer Matt Kean, who was also present at the press conference.
Kean said the Premier still had the support of the party in the lead up to the March 25 state election and said his admission was a reminder to all the “community and this is a reminder to all of us about the atrocities that occurred”.
He advised all members of the Cabinet to visit the Sydney Jewish Museum to “recommit” themselves to ensure the events of the Holocaust do not happen again.
“The Premier has just admitted that he made a terrible mistake a long time ago,” said Kean.
“It has no place, not just at sporting games, but anywhere in our state.
“If they are caught, there should be life bans in place. Once they are caught, they are not going back to a game in this state.”
Jewish community responds
Since the extraordinary announcement, members of Australia’s Jewish community have responded to the Premier’s admission.
The NSW Jewish Board of Deputies shared a statement on their Facebook page saying they hoped the incident would “serve as a lesson” and reminder of the “abhorrent nature of the Nazi regime”. They also said Nazi symbolism should “not to be taken lightly and dressing as a Nazi is not a joke”.
“We appreciate that the Premier personally reached out to the Jewish community this afternoon to express his deep and sincere regret about his poor choice of costume as a young man,” their statement read.
“The Premier has been a staunch supporter and friend of the NSW Jewish community throughout his time in public life. In particular, as Treasurer, he ensured the Sydney Jewish Museum received funding to ensure that it could continue educating the community about the Holocaust and the horrors of the Nazi era.
