“Odd explanation”: Dominic Perrottet Nazi uniform controversy explained as NSW premier issues apology

NSW premier Dominic Perrottet recently admitted to wearing a Nazi uniform at his 21st birthday party and apologized for his past mistake. He told a Sydney press conference that he decided to confess after receiving a private phone call from a cabinet colleague.

The politician said he was “deeply ashamed” of his behavior and apologized for his previous actions:

“When I was 21, at my 21st fancy dress party, I wore a Nazi uniform. 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 and particularly members of the Jewish community, Holocaust survivors, veterans and their families.”

Perrottet added that he made a “terrible mistake” when he was “young and naïve” and did not understand the gravity of the situation:

“I'm truly sorry for that terrible mistake… At that age in my life I did not understand the gravity and the hurt of what that uniform means to the people, not just in our state but around the world.”

Dominic Perrottet’s confession sparked immediate controversy on social media. While some accepted the premier’s apology, others dubbed his explanation as “odd”:

The scandal surrounding the Nazi costume comes just a few months before the state election, which is crucial to the Coalition as well as Perrottet’s political career.

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Dominic Perrottet denies rumors of being threatened to reveal Nazi costume scandal

Dominic Perrottet recently apologized for wearing a Nazi costume at his 21st birthday party nearly 19 years ago. The shocking revelation came after rumors about a photo of the New South Wales premier wearing the outfit made the rounds online.

However, the politician said that he was not being threatened to reveal the information and shared that he was not aware if a photo of him wearing the costume existed:

“I don't know if one exists. I've not seen one. I don't know.”

Perrottet shared that he was “personally anguished” over his past behavior and wanted to share the truth with himself:

“I have grappled with this, it’s something that has personally anguished me. I needed this truth about this terrible mistake that I made to be told by me, not by someone else.”

The politician mentioned that he had wanted to address the controversy several times over the years, but found it “difficult” to make the confession:

“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.”

Dominic Perrottet continued:

“I know how hurtful this is for so many people … it was important that I, as premier of this state, addressed this and apologised for the hurt and the pain that this is going to cause.”

The 40-year-old added that he is not the person he was at 21 years of age, and his mistakes do not define who he is:

“I’m not the person I am today that I was at 21. Who I am today is formed by the good things I’ve done in my life, not the mistakes I’ve made.”

Recalling the controversial outfit, he said that he wore the costume at a “uniform party” and that his parents spoke to him the day after the event, telling him that his actions were “wrong and insensitive.”

Speaking to Chris O'Keefe on Nine radio station 2GB, Perrottet said that he should have addressed the situation earlier in his life:

“It's something it's something that obviously, I should have, I should have spoken about earlier in my life. There is, there is no doubt about that. And I didn't, and I should have.”

He reiterated his regret over his past actions and apologized to the people of NSW in a statement:

“But it's important as well, that I say to the people of New South Wales that this was a terrible and grave mistake that I made and that I'm truly sorry for the hurt that this will cause people across New South Wales.”

Dominic Perrottet also attended a meeting at the Sydney Jewish Museum after making the confession and said he repeated the “deepest apologies and regret” over his actions.

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Netizens react to Dominic Perrottet’s Nazi uniform controversy

Dominic Perrottet’s Nazi uniform controversy left netizens shocked (Image via Getty Images)

New South Wales premier Dominic Perrottet recently left people shocked after admitting that he wore a Nazi costume at his 21st birthday party.

While the politician confessed his mistake and issued an apology towards the Jewish community and the people of NSW, the situation sparked major controversy online. Several social media users also took to Twitter to react to the scandal and Perrottet’s apology.

As reactions continued to pour in online, Dr. Dvir Abramovich, chairman of the Anti-Defamation Commission, said he was “shattered and saddened” over the revelation. However, he also accepted the premier’s apology and his sincere efforts to reach out to the community:

“I accept the premier's apology, which is sincere as it is heartfelt, and applaud his full-throated denunciation of his past behavior. I also appreciate his efforts to immediately reach out to the Jewish community.”

NSW Jewish Board of Deputies president David Ossip and CEO Darren Bark issued a joint statement and acknowledged Dominic Perrottet reaching out to the Jewish community. They also described his apology as “deep and sincere.”

NSW Treasurer and NSW Liberal's Deputy Leader, Matt Kean, said the party could possibly stand by Perrottet in the wake of his confession and apology:

“The Premier has just admitted that he made a terrible mistake a long time ago. He's apologized to community leaders, he's apologised to the Jewish community, and he's apologised to the people of NSW.”

The Guardian reported that Dominic Perrottet’s controversy might cause difficulties as the Coalition seeks its fourth term in power. It also remains to be seen if the situation will affect the premier’s re-election in the days to come.