EXCLUSIVE
Jim’s Mowing boss Jim Penman has officially dropped Dan Andrews from his company, telling the former Victorian premier he is banned from using any of the franchise king’s services.
Penman is the latest in a growing list of business owners, including several hospitality heavyweights, to publicly ban Andrews.
The franchise king told Daily Mail Australia he had canceled Andrews and “believes all of Victoria” should also blacklist the former pollie.
“If I were on the tools, I wouldn’t work for him, and I would encourage any franchisee or independent contractor to do the same,” Penman said.
‘It left over 100,000 independent contractors out of work for two months, without ANY health advice, as our lawsuit now demonstrates.
“I’ll be very happy to think that he’ll have to mow his own lawn, clean his own house and cook his own dinner, but I’m sure there will be someone who likes it and will do it for him.”
‘It must be humiliating for him (to be included in the back list). He was all-powerful sitting on his throne in Spring St, wagging his fingers saying who can work and who can’t, but now the people have the power.’
The boss of Jim’s Mowing has “canceled” Dan Andrews.
Jim Penman is the latest in a growing list of business owners, including several hospitality heavyweights, to publicly ban Dan Andrews (pictured with his wife Catherine).
Iconic Australian company Jim’s Mowing is now out of Andrews’ reach
Penman also said he thought it was “personally a good idea” for Andrews to resign from Victoria following his departure from politics and his new role as chairman of youth mental health fund, Orygen.
“I hope he leaves… he’s running out of options, I would recommend he leaves Victoria, the amount of damage he has done to this state is immeasurable,” he said.
‘It’s the most hostile state to do business in… the guy is a disaster.
“It’s also ridiculous that Andrews is running this mental health organisation, it’s like letting rapists run women’s shelters or pedophiles run daycares.
“Andrews has done more to undermine mental health than anyone in the history of the state… I’ve seen the effects firsthand, I’ve seen people lose homes and families… I actually know these people.”
Daily Mail Australia exclusively revealed on Thursday that former AFL star Paul Dimattina, who runs popular South Melbourne venue Lamaro’s Hotel, had banned Andrews from his venue.
Dimattina also said the former premier was “easily the most hated person” in Victoria as it was revealed several restaurant owners had refused service to Mr Andrews and his wife Cath.
“There is no hope of Andrews getting a seat in my pub,” Dimattina told Daily Mail Australia.
‘If he came in and sat down…the Lamaro crowd would be upset if they saw him…Andrews is hated for all his anti-business stance.
Hospitality heavyweight Paul Dimattina kicked Andrews out of his Lamaro’s Hotel pub
Dimattina in his time as a Western Bulldogs player.
‘The trail of destruction Andrews left is still felt today, small businesses closed, endless closures, critical healthcare neglected, children out of school… he helped no one.
“Mental health went downhill and now Andrews has a job in mental health, if you can believe it.”
Dimattina, who followed his 131-game AFL career by taking over the restaurant and produce empire founded by his father Frank, said Andrews also “absolutely crippled” the hospitality industry.
He became a leading voice opposing Victoria’s response to Covid when Andrews imposed the longest lockdown periods in the world.
His attitude towards the government’s response to Covid soured further when he spent time in intensive care following a negative reaction to a booster shot.
“Business was decimated, the CBD is a ghost town, once the thriving restaurants close, it’s the same on all the main streets, Chapel St, Lygon St, there are empty businesses everywhere,” he said.
“What Andrews did was make running a small business not an easy thing… he’d be better off leaving the state, I’m sure there are some people who still love him, lefties and all, but he’s not welcome anywhere.” side and us”. We’ll all be better off not seeing him here.
Andrews’ latest ban is a negative sign for his hopes of dining out in Melbourne, given that Dimattina’s family owns and has owned several restaurants in the city, including along the famous Lygon Street district.
Inside Mr Dimattina’s stylish South Melbourne gastropub
Andrews’ latest ban is a negative sign for his hopes of dining out in Melbourne, given that Dimattina’s family owns and has owned several restaurants in the city, including along the famous Lygon Street district (pictured by stock above).
Meanwhile, restaurateur Chris Lucas revealed he told Andrews’ wife Cath “not available” after she called to book a table at his Windsor restaurant Hawker Hall, located in the once-bustling Melbourne district. Chapel St during Covid lockdown.
Lucas also revealed that Di Stasio, a famous Melbourne restaurant group that is not part of his hotel group, also denied Andrews a reservation for his birthday around the same period.
And it’s not just hospitality venues that blacklist Andrews.
The prestigious National Golf Club on the Mornington Peninsula banned Andrews from joining and there were also rumors that the exclusive Portsea Golf Club brought down the former prime minister.
Melbourne golfers were outraged by the Victorian government’s ban on the sport during lockdown, even though it takes place outdoors with large distances between players and provides a rare outlet for exercise.
Andrews was Victorian premier for almost nine years before resigning at the end of 2023 and taking a new role at Orygen, a mental health organisation.