Perrottet putting Nazi mistake behind him
Dominic Perrottet has sought to draw a line in the sand over the Nazi costume controversy, saying he is looking to the future.
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 NSW premier faced questions again on Sunday after he admitted on Thursday that he dressed up as a Nazi for his 21st birthday party.
“I’m not focused on the past,” Mr Perrottet said.
“I’m focused on taking our state forward … that’s what I’ve focused on my entire political life.”
Attention has also turned to which other future-Liberal politicians were at the 21st party.
But Mr Perrottet said on Sunday he couldn’t recall who was there and did not want to “drag” others into it.
“It’s not about other people, I made a mistake, it’s about what I did,” he said.
“What I know was I was there and I know what I did.”
Mr Perrottet made the admission after a phone call with Transport Minister David Elliott the previous night.
On Sunday, Mr Perrottet said Mr Elliott, who he has recently clashed with over the issue of cashless gaming cards, did not have a photo of the future premier in the costume nor was he aware of one that existed.
Mr Perrottet repeated on Sunday he had made a mistake wearing the costume, saying he was naive.
“The person I am today is not the person I was back then,” he said.
“You mature on life’s journey and that’s what (has) happened.
“As you go through life you don’t just learn from the good things, you do you learn from the mistakes you make.”
Mr Perrottet maintained he has the support of his colleagues, many of who have come out to publicly support him.
Roads Minister Natalie Ward, who was with Mr Perrottet to announce a new $1 billion Western Sydney roads package, said the premier had owned the mistake which was not reflective of the man she worked with.
“What I’ve seen in Dom Perrottet is a compassionate, kind person who works his guts out every day for the people of NSW,” Ms Ward said.
Labor leader Chris Minns, who will face the premier at a state election in just two months, has not called for the premier’s resignation.
“It’s not up to me to absolve him or accept his apology on behalf of the state,” Mr Minns said on Saturday.
He doubted the admission will impact the election.
“I think the people of NSW will make decisions based on many other issues,” Mr Minns said.
