Perrottet: “I am deeply sorry”
Following a meeting at the Sydney Jewish Museum with The New South Wales Jewish Board of Deputies, NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet has written a letter of apology for wearing a Nazi uniform at his 21st party.
NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet apologises for wearing a nazi uniform during his 21st birthday party during a press conference at NSW Parliament House, in Sydney, Thursday, January 12, 2023. (AAP Image/Dean Lewins)
The 40-yr-old Perrottet wrote:
“Today I spoke publicly for the first time about an incident from my past, when I wore a Nazi costume to my 21st birthday party.
To you, the Jewish community, Holocaust survivors and your families, I am deeply sorry.
The choice I made when I was 21 has no doubt caused distress.
There is no excuse for my actions. While I can sincerely say they did not reflect in any way my attitude towards the Jewish community, they did demonstrate my naivety and insensitivity to the pain and trauma experienced by so many because of the vile ideology represented by that costume.
I made the decision to publicly apologise because I wanted to take full responsibility for my decision. I am sorry for my actions, and for the pain they have caused.
With the benefit of many personal friendships and acquaintances, hearing people’s stories first hand, and deepening my understanding of history and the ongoing trauma caused by the Holocaust, I now look back on my decision in 2003 with shame.
While I cannot change that decision, I am resolved to redouble my efforts to combat antisemitism and help young people to avoid making the same mistake I made.
I have sought the advice of the leadership of the NSW Jewish Board of Deputies to assist me in making sure that we can use my mistake and the lessons I have learned to do more and better when it comes to Holocaust education.
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.”
President David Ossip and CEO Darren Bark commented: “The Jewish Board of Deputies had a constructive meeting with the Premier this afternoon at the Sydney Jewish Museum.
During the meeting, we outlined to the Premier the hurt and offence to our community caused by his actions.
The Premier expressed deep remorse and contrition for his past actions and underlined his commitment to Holocaust education and fighting rising levels of antisemitism.
We look forward to working with the Premier to ensure that every student in NSW leaves school with an understanding of humanity’s darkest chapter and the universal lessons of the Holocaust.”
Apparently it was a fancy dress party with uniforms as the theme the NSW Premier attended as a 21 year old.. Decades ago in the 1980’s I went to a fancy dress “jungle” party as Bishop Tutu.with black face, wearing a ballet Tutu (dress), a bishops hat with a cross at the front and a hammer & sickle on the back. It got a laugh from most at the party who were dressed as lionesses and tigers mostly or game hunters from memory, which was held at a Jewish home in Caulfield. Others reacted like the audience in the Mel Brooks film “The Producers” as their jaws dropped. when the saw Tutu with monkey feet slippers and a tail attached to a black leotards I was wearing. No photo of that effort which was well before mobile phones were invented thankfully..