Jim’s Mowing delivers yet another devastating blow to Dan Andrews

EXCLUSIVE

Jim’s Mowing boss Jim Penman has officially terminated Dan Andrews from his company and told the ex-Victorian Prime Minister he cannot use the franchise king’s services.

Mr Penman is the latest in a growing list of business owners, including several heavyweights in the hospitality industry, who have publicly banned Andrews.

The franchise king told Daily Mail Australia he had terminated Andrews and “believes all of Victoria” should also blacklist the former pollie.

“If I had the tools, I wouldn’t work for him, and I would encourage any franchisee or independent contractor to do the same,” Mr. Penman said.

“He put over 100,000 independent contractors out of work for two months without ANY form of health counseling – as has now been proven by our lawsuit.

“I’ll be thrilled to think that he may have to mow his own lawn, clean his own house, and cook his own dinner, but I’m sure there’s someone out there who likes him and will do it for him.”

‘It must be humiliating for him [getting backlisted]. He was all-powerful as he sat on his throne on Spring Street, wagging his fingers and saying who can work and who can’t – but people have the power now.”

Mr Penman also said he “personally thought it was a good idea” for Andrews to leave Victoria following his departure from politics and his new role as chairman of youth welfare organization 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 state that’s most hostile to do business in… that man is a disaster.

“It’s also ridiculous that Andrews is running this mental health organization, like letting rapists run women’s shelters or pedophiles running child care centers.

“Andrews has done more to undermine mental health than anyone in the state’s history…I’ve seen the consequences firsthand, I’ve seen people lose homes and families…I actually know these people .’

Daily Mail Australia exclusively revealed on Thursday that ex-AFL star Paul Dimattina, who runs popular South Melbourne venue Lamaro’s Hotel, had banned Andrews from his venue.

Mr Dimattina also said the former Prime Minister was ‘easily the most hated person’ in Victoria as it is revealed multiple restaurant owners have turned Mr Andrews and his wife Cath away.

“I hope Andrews wouldn’t get a place in my pub,” Mr Dimattina told Daily Mail Australia.

“If he came in and sat down…the Lamaro crowd would be disgusted when they saw him…Andrews is hated for his whole anti-business attitude.

“The trail of destruction Andrews left is still palpable: small businesses closed, endless lockdowns, crucial 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 that.”

Mr Dimattina, who followed his 131-match AFL career by taking charge of the restaurant and manufacturing empire founded by his father Frank, said Andrews also “absolutely crippled” the hospitality industry.

He became a leading voice opposing Victoria’s Covid response as Mr Andrews imposed the world’s longest periods of lockdown.

His attitude to the government’s response to Covid was further deteriorated when he spent time in intensive care after an adverse reaction to a vaccination booster.

“Business has been decimated, the CBD is a ghost town, once thriving restaurants are boarded up it’s the same on every high street, Chapel St, Lygon St, empty businesses everywhere,” he said.

‘What Andrews did is he didn’t make running a small business easy…he would be better off if he left the state, I’m sure there are still people who still love him, lefties and all , but he is not welcome anywhere and we’ll all be better off without seeing him here.’

Andrews’ latest ban is a negative sign for his hopes of dining out in Melbourne, as Dimattina’s family owns and has owned several restaurants in the city, including along the famous Lygon Street precinct.

Meanwhile, restaurateur Chris Lucas revealed he told Andrews’ wife Cath “unavailable” after she called to book a table at his Windsor eatery Hawker Hall, located in Melbourne’s once bustling Chapel St precinct during the Covid lockdown.

Mr Lucas also revealed that Di Stasio, a famous Melbourne restaurant group not part of his hospitality group, also denied Andrews a booking for his birthday around the same period.

And it’s not just catering establishments that are blacklisting Andrews.

The prestigious National Golf Club on the Mornington Peninsula banned Andrews from becoming a member and the exclusive Portsea Golf Club was also rumored to have hit back at the ex-PM.

Melbourne golfers were outraged by the Victorian government’s ban on the sport during lockdown, despite it being outdoors with long distances between players and providing a rare outlet for exercise.

Andrews was Premier of Victoria for almost nine years before stepping down at the end of 2023 and taking on a new role at mental health organization Orygen.