Speaking on the Central Coast on Saturday to announce a $3.7 million election commitment towards improving soccer facilities in the safe Labor seat of Wyong,Minns said he did not believe the revelations would affect the result of the upcoming election on March 25.
NSW Labor Leader Chris Minns was joined in Tuggerah today by Central Coast Mariners players and local junior teams to announce NSW Labor's commitment of $3.7 million to improve soccer facilities.
“I think the people of New South Wales will make decisions based on the many other issues that the political debate and fight is about,” he said. “I’m not going to offer a running commentary in relation to it. My view is pretty straightforward. It was obviously a big mistake,he’s made an apology. I thought that the apology was sincere.”
Perrottet on Thursday to his 21st birthday after a conversation with Transport Minister David Elliott and apologised for what he described as a grave and terrible mistake.
“At that age in my life,I just did not understand the gravity of what the uniform meant,” Perrottet said at a press conference on Thursday. “It was just a naive thing to do.”
The premier made the apology after the issue was brought to his attention by Elliott,who is retiring from NSW parliament after he failed to convince Perrottet’s conservative faction to back his preselection.
Minns said that,while voters will make their own decision,the way the revelations came to light hinted at deep divisions within the Liberal Party.
“They seem hell-bent on destroying each other’s political careers,and I think that is an issue for the voters of NSW,” he said. “I mean,if they can’t get united in the run-up to an election campaign,what hope have they got of being united if they win the election?”
Perrottet has denied for the public admission and said he had received overwhelming support from his colleagues. He again apologised on Friday,penning an open letter to the Jewish community and releasing a video where he said he hoped some good could come from his mistake.
Asked for his view on Perrottet wearing a Nazi uniform two decades ago,Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said:“Well,that’s a matter for him.
“I’ve been in Papua New Guinea,but obviously I have observed his statements,” he said. “That’s a matter for him,and then for others who’ll make judgments based upon the Premier’s explanation.”
Deputy Premier Paul Toole said the premier’s admission was unlikely to derail the Coalition’s pitch for a fourth term in government,telling 2GB on Friday that Perrottet had the support of the National Party.
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