As a German-born Australian I feel particularly affected and am still deeply shocked every time I think of the hate and atrocities inflicted on the Jewish people during Hitler’s time (“Warning sparked Nazi uniform confession”, 13/1). That must never be forgotten, and it must never happen again. Any trivialisation of this horrendous crime, no matter the reason or occasion, is unacceptable. Clearly, Premier Perrottet was an unthinking young man at the time, and he knows better now.
His now public misstep will haunt him politically and, judging from his apology, also personally. But Australia is a fair-minded and forgiving country and the Australian Jewish community has been gracious in accepting Mr Perrottet’s sincere apology for his hurtful act.
Michael Schilling, Millswood, SA
With the NSW Premier feeling he now needs to atone for something he did many years ago as a very young and unworldly man, I throw my hands up in disgust. Should a youthful indiscretion, that was subsequently the subject of parental disapprobation, be seen as tarnishing his image forever? Are there many persons of mature years who can honestly say that they didn’t do something in their youth, that in hindsight, they now regret? We learn from our early mistakes and become more responsible, mature and caring citizens. Are the finger-pointers and nay-sayers blameless, one has to ask? What sort of society have we become?
Noelle Oke, Albury, NSW
I do wish that ordinary people would stop judging events and individuals of the past by contemporary standards. Common sense should tell any thinking person that young men in particular have not fully developed their brain before at least 25 years of age, and in the year 2003 not many people would have taken too much notice of a strangely dressed person at a dress-up party (reference Fawlty Towers or the Benny Hill Show). There are much more important issues in today’s society; consider them. Politicians especially should be thinking of important matters.
Glenda Ellis, Bardon, Qld
Read the letters in The Australian.