To celebrate his 21st birthday, Dominic Perrottet put on a Nazi uniform costume and hosted a “uniforms” themed party.
Less than five years later, the law graduate was named president of the NSW Young Liberal Movement.
Now aged 40, a father of six, leader of the NSW Liberal Party and the Premier of NSW, Perrottet called a press conference today to share the “mistake” he has carried with him ever since that party, and apologise for the hurt caused.
While photos have not yet been released of the party outfit – although it’s likely they exist and could emerge very soon – Perrottet called the press conference today to say he is “deeply ashamed” and “truly sorry for the hurt and the pain that it will cause people right across our state.”
He apologised particularly to members of the Jewish community, holocaust survivors, veterans and their families. “I’m truly sorry for that terrible mistake,” he said.
Perrottet made the admission after receiving a phone call two years ago, and deciding to come forward. He told reporters he’s not aware of photos showing him wearing the costume – although even 20 years ago, there were plenty of photos taken at 21st birthday parties.
“I just did not understand the gravity and the hurt of what that uniform means to people, not just to our state, but around the country and around the world.”
Is the costume a forgivable mistake of a young, immature 21-year-old? Hardly.
An ambitious politician should “understand the gravity” of such actions by the age of 21, as should anyone with even the simplest knowledge of history. He was 21, not 12, and not even 18. He was highly educated, came from a privileged background, and born to a father who worked for the World Bank which saw him with an international perspective.
Perrottet attended private schools in Sydney and went on to study law. He was appointed to young Liberal leadership positions from 2005, before taking a fast trajectory to become the leader of the NSW Liberal Party. He was still in his thirties when he became premier.
A 21st party outfit is not typically a spontaneous decision, nor do people typically have Nazi uniforms on hand ready to wear. Perrottet would have clearly thought the outfit through, especially as it was his party – and especially given, as he said today, the theme of the party was “uniforms”.
And as Perrottet conceded himself today, it was his parents that had to point out the mistake, telling him that it was “wrong and insensitive”, the day after the party. Perhaps the friends who attended the party didn’t want to say anything on his big night, or maybe he partied with a group that also didn’t consider the “gravity” of the move.
Since that day – the day after his 21st birthday party when Perrottet’s parents explained to their 21 year old, well-educated son that dressing up as a Nazi was wrong – Perrottet said he’s been carrying the mistake with him.
It will now likely define the legacy of his career, and possibly contribute to ending his time in politics. A reminder that we all make mistakes – but if you’re going to leverage your privilege, education and contacts to fast track into leadership, then you must understand the mistakes of history, never ever seek to make light of them, and accept the consequences of your personal past.