Jim Penman, the entrepreneur whose name has become synonymous with franchising success across diverse sectors from lawn care to dog washing, is making a dramatic pivot into the political arena. The 73-year-old founder of Jim's Group has secured endorsement from the Libertarian Party and will stand as a candidate in Victoria's upcoming state election this November.
From Franchise Empire to Political Campaign
Penman will contest the Melbourne-based lower house seat of Northcote, currently held by Labor's Kat Theophanous. His decision to enter politics stems from what he describes as mounting concerns about economic pressures facing Victorians and excessive regulatory burdens that he believes are stifling business innovation and growth.
"If my family wasn't in Victoria, this is the last state I'd choose to run a business from," Penman declared in a statement on Wednesday, delivering a scathing assessment of the current state government's performance.
A Harsh Critique of Victorian Governance
Penman's critique extends across multiple areas of state governance. He pointed to Victoria's ranking as the worst state for ease of doing business, combined with what he claims are the highest taxation levels and most substantial debt burden in the country.
The entrepreneur also referenced Victoria's pandemic response, noting the state experienced both the strictest lockdown measures and highest COVID-19 death rates nationally. His criticism extends to current government spending priorities, which he argues divert billions toward what he terms "greenwashing, bureaucrats and boondoggles" including projects like the Suburban Rail Loop.
"All of these factors, combined with rising prices, cost the typical Victorian family tens of thousands of dollars each year," Penman asserted, framing his political entry as a response to these economic pressures.
Political Evolution and Real-World Experience
Interestingly, Penman revealed he had previously supported the Liberal Party but became disillusioned with their approach. "They're actually worse than Labor on zoning issues and tend to favour the well-off," he explained, highlighting his reasons for aligning with the Libertarian Party instead.
His campaign will emphasize bringing practical business experience into political discourse. "I want to bring real-world experience into the conversation and stand up for people who feel increasingly ignored by traditional political structures," Penman stated, positioning himself as an outsider candidate with extensive commercial expertise.
Libertarian Party Backs Business Leader
Libertarian Party spokesperson Ken Phillips welcomed Penman's candidacy, describing his insights and leadership as "greatly needed in parliament to drive meaningful reform and help put Victoria back on the right path."
Phillips highlighted Penman's unique combination of public recognition, substantial business experience, and clear policy ideas. "Jim brings clear insight into how government policy can be improved to lower the cost of living for Victorians, support business and entrepreneurship, and cut wasteful government spending," he said.
The Libertarian Party currently has just one elected representative in Victoria's parliament - Upper House MP David Limbrick. Penman's high-profile candidacy represents a significant opportunity for the party to expand its parliamentary presence.
Building on a Franchising Legacy
Penman launched Jim's Group in 1989, beginning with a single lawn mowing franchise. The business has since grown into a franchising empire with more than 5,500 franchisees operating across dozens of service divisions including:
- Fencing services
- Dog washing and pet care
- Flooring installation
- Traffic control operations
- Most famously, lawn care and maintenance
This extensive business background forms the foundation of Penman's political platform, which focuses on reducing regulatory burdens, supporting small business growth, and addressing cost-of-living concerns through what he describes as more practical, business-informed policy approaches.
As Victoria's state election approaches in November, Penman's entry adds an intriguing dimension to the political landscape, bringing a successful business leader's perspective to debates about economic management, regulatory reform, and government spending priorities.
