Warning sparked Nazi uniform confession

A senior Liberal minister tipped off NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet of rumours circulating there was a picture of him wearing the costume and his election chances were in danger.

NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet is facing a crisis just two months out from the state election after he admitted to wearing a Nazi uniform at his 21st birthday party, a decision he labelled a “grave and terrible mistake”.

Mr Perrottet made the shock confession on Thursday after being warned by a disgruntled senior minister that rumours were circulating about a photo of the Premier in the uniform, and his election chances were in peril.

“I’m deeply ashamed of what I did and I’m truly sorry for the hurt and the pain this will cause for people right across our state, and in particular members of the Jewish community, Holocaust survivors, veterans and their families,” the Premier said in Sydney.

“This is about a grave mistake that I made which I am truly sorry for. This news today will bring a lot of pain and anguish to people across our state and I wish I could go back in time.”

I’m deeply sorry for a terrible mistake I made at my 21st birthday party. pic.twitter.com/ESnx8LwVjG

— Dom Perrottet (@Dom_Perrottet) January 12, 2023

While state Liberals said there were no moves to remove the Premier, MPs believed the rumours were the result of an internal attack against Mr Perrottet.

Just 10 weeks out from the NSW election, Mr Perrottet revealed he had been contacted two days ago by a cabinet minister who raised the existence of a photo of him wearing the costume at the party in September 2003.

The Australian understands that was Transport Minister David Elliott, who warned the Premier that if the material surfaced it may be used to damage him politically. Mr Elliott was contacted for comment.

Liberal sources told The Australian Mr Elliott’s relationship with the Premier has deteriorated since Mr Perrottet failed to deliver him preselection in his preferred seat, prompting Mr Elliott’s early retirement from politics.

Mr Perrottet said his parents disciplined him the following day after wearing the Nazi uniform and that he didn’t know any better at the time.

Despite the poor relationship, senior ministers said they believed Mr Elliott was trying to protect his leader, and he was not behind rumours about the Nazi costume.

While it was Mr Perrottet’s decision to out himself, it is understood neither the Premier nor his office have seen the photo.

As he denied the disclosure had anything to do with the rumoured circulation of a photo of him in the outfit, the Premier was at a loss to explain why he had not come clean at any point in the preceding two decades, including 10 years as a state politician.

“When it was raised with me the other day, two days ago, that I needed this truth about this terrible mistake that I made … (it) needed to be told by me, not by someone else,” he said.

The fancy dress party at the Perrottets’ West Pennant Hills home was attended by about 100 people, one attendee told The Australian.

Dominic Perrottet's written apology to the Jewish community. Read the full story from @maxmaddison at The @australian.https://t.co/wbgdN4kgAvpic.twitter.com/O7iCxVVGbG

— Daniel Sankey 🐎 (@Daniel_Sankey) January 12, 2023

Speaking on condition of anonymity, they said Mr Perrottet had been confronted by a Jewish friend who questioned whether the costume was appropriate.

A number of future state and federal MPs were present, according to the attendee, including Mitchell MP and soft-right leader Alex Hawke and Wollondilly MP Nat Smith. Mr Hawke and Mr Smith did not respond to calls and texts requesting comment.

By Mr Perrottet’s side as he made the confession, NSW Treasurer and deputy Liberal leader Matt Kean said the Premier continued to have his full support, saying his mistake happened “a long time ago” and he had apologised to community leaders.

Mr Perrottet said he had rented the outfit from a costume store and didn’t understand the pain it could cause.

Planning Minister Anthony Roberts said during his time as counter-terrorism minister, “I could not have had more support from Dom as treasurer in supporting my efforts to ensure the safety of the Jewish community”.

“We’ve all done something in our lives that we’re probably not proud of but that we’ve learned from, moved on and become better people.”

Multiculturalism Minister Mark Coure stood by the Premier, saying his remorse demonstrated he had “reflected on the past, owned his mistakes and learned from them”.

NSW Liberal MPs said despite the stunning disclosure, the Premier’s position was safe.

“People would see this for what it is. We’re all human, we all make mistakes,” one MP said.

Mr Perrottet said he had reached out to leaders of the Jewish and veterans’ communities, asking what he could do to support them in light of his disclosure.

A statement from NSW Jewish Board of Deputies president David Ossip and chief executive Darren Bark said the Premier had made a “poor choice … as a young man”, but appreciated him personally reaching out to the Jewish community.