Dominic Perrottet

Dominic Perrottet acknowledged in January 2023 that he had worn a Nazi uniform at his 21st birthday party in 2003. He said he was deeply ashamed of his choice and publicly apologised, just weeks before the NSW election.

State of the evidence

Admitted by the person

Attribution

Personally implicated

Perrottet made gambling reform a priority, notably proposing a transition to cashless cards to reduce money laundering and gambling harm. The powerful clubs and pubs sector launched intense opposition, while divisions emerged within his own political camp. ClubsNSW's chief executive was dismissed after attacking the reform by linking it to the Premier's Catholic faith.

State of the evidence

Documented

Attribution

Political responsibility

Following revelations concerning the NSW government's discretionary grant programmes, it emerged that Perrottet, then Treasurer, had signed off on allocations from certain funds before the 2019 election. After becoming Premier, he ordered a review of the system to strengthen rules and transparency.

State of the evidence

Documented

Attribution

Political responsibility

The appointment of former Deputy Premier John Barilaro to a highly paid New York trade position triggered a parliamentary inquiry. Documents showed that another candidate had originally been ranked first, contradicting some earlier government communications. Barilaro also said he had informed Perrottet of his interest in the position.

State of the evidence

Documented

Attribution

Political responsibility

Documents and testimony showed that Perrottet, then Treasurer, asked to review candidates for the London Agent-General position after a panel had identified Paul Webster as its preferred candidate. Stephen Cartwright, who entered the process later, was ultimately appointed.

State of the evidence

Documented

Attribution

Directly implicated

Following catastrophic flooding in northern New South Wales, Perrottet acknowledged that certain aspects of the emergency services' response had been unacceptable and that residents should not have had to organise so many rescues themselves. He promised a comprehensive review.

State of the evidence

Admitted by the person

Attribution

Political responsibility

Within days of becoming Premier, Perrottet accelerated several stages of NSW's lockdown exit roadmap. The Australian Medical Association warned that the state was moving too quickly and hospital admissions could rise sharply.

State of the evidence

Documented

Attribution

Political responsibility

The iCare workers' insurance scheme, created under Perrottet's responsibility while he was Finance Minister, accumulated serious financial and management problems. Tens of thousands of injured workers had been underpaid by an estimated amount of up to approximately 80 million dollars, while NSW Treasury warned of the system's underperformance. Perrottet apologised and said ultimate responsibility rested with him.

State of the evidence

Documented

Attribution

Directly implicated

Amid the iCare crisis, it emerged that two people working in Perrottet's ministerial office were formally seconded from iCare and paid by the agency, with documentation considered insufficient. His chief of staff resigned, and an audit was ordered.

State of the evidence

Documented

Attribution

Political responsibility