James O’Doherty: Dominic Perrottet’s apology for Nazi costume a political decision

The Premier’s shock apology for wearing a Nazi costume to a party two decades earlier was clearly genuine, writes James O’Doherty — but the timing was also a political decision.

Less than six months ago, NSW parliament banned the display of Nazi symbols in this state.

If that law was in place 20 years ago, Premier Dominic Perrottet’s “grave mistake” in wearing a Nazi uniform to his 21st birthday party could have seen him facing up to a year in prison. Now it threatens to cost Perrottet at the ballot box — knocking his election campaign for six before it even begins.

It plays into the hands of his enemies who already cast him as a far-right conservative too immature to be premier.

In this sense, the revelations are doubly damaging because they will be used as evidence of the worst characterisations people already have about Perrottet.

Dominic Perrottet leaves the Jewish Museum on Thursday after meeting with Jewish leaders. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Seb Haggett

While Liberals on Thursday were insisting they still back Perrottet, his admission came after days of speculation that someone was preparing to release a photo of the Premier in the Nazi uniform at his 21st birthday costume party.

Liberals believed any hit would have to be an inside job.

It was only a call from a colleague on Tuesday that caused Perrottet to admit something he says has caused him anguish for years.

He kept quiet even as legislation was being drafted to ban the display of Nazi symbols.

Neither did he confess to renting the Nazi costume when he announced millions of dollars in funding for the Sydney Jewish Museum in the 2021 budget.

Perrottet said he has “grappled” with his mistake ever since the party, and has often thought about raising it. He admitted he should have done it earlier.

It was clear that Perrottet was genuine in his shock apology on Thursday. His eyes were teary, his hands were shaking and he spoke in the soft tones of someone who knows they made a grave error.

Perrottet was right to own up to his “grave mistake” and acknowledge the pain it has caused.

But the timing of the admission was also a political decision, attempting to dampen the impact if a photo of the incident ever does emerge.