Premier dodges probe
Perrottet digs in as Nazi costume storm blows up
NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet has fronted cameras and media for the first time since it was revealed he wore a Nazi costume to his 21st birthday party.
Mr Perrottet faced a barrage of questions while attending a press conference at Ryde Hospital on Friday.
The Premier was asked how the revelation would affect the Coalition’s performance at the March state election, a mere 10 weeks away.
During the press conference he continued to dodge questions around whether there were other parliamentarians at the event.
“It is not about other people,” he said. “No one was involved. I was involved. It was me. I made a terrible mistake.”
Mr Perrottet said that, to his knowledge, there was no photo taken that night and he had “no recollection” of making a Nazi salute while wearing the uniform. He also said he had not been blackmailed.
“I am not aware of a photograph. I am not aware of one that exists,” he said.
Mr Perrottet said colleagues had contacted him overnight and he “appreciated their support”.
“It is ultimately not about me in relation to this, it is about the hurt that the mistake I made caused many people across our community and I am terribly sorry for that,” he said.
Despite this, he wouldn’t confirm whether a party room meeting would be held in the coming days, adding that it was “a matter for the members of the party”.
Mr Perrottet said he came clean about the uniform after he was contacted by a member of his cabinet two days ago. Later it was revealed by 7 News that it was NSW Transport Minister David Elliott who made the call on Tuesday.
Mr Perrottet made several calls to Jewish leaders and attended a meeting at the Sydney Jewish Museum after the uniform revelation was made public. He also penned an open letter to the Jewish community and the Returned and Services League of NSW (NSW RSL), which was provided to veterans and their families.
In the open letter addressed to “members of the Jewish community”, Mr Perrottet said he reflected on his “decision in 2003 with shame” and hoped it would lead to greater education about the Holocaust.
“While I cannot change that decision, I am resolved to redouble my efforts to combat anti-Semitism and help young people to avoid making the same mistake I made,” he wrote.
“It is my hope that something good can come from this terrible mistake, and I am determined to continue to do everything I can to fight antiSemitism and make NSW a safe and welcoming place for all who call it home.”
After Mr Perrottet spoke on Friday, state ministers Brad Hazzard and Victor Dominello told media the Premier still had their backing.
Mr Hazzard, who worked with the Premier during the state’s Covid response, said he was an “extraordinarily good Premier”.