Jim’s Mowing boss Jim Penman prepares a multi-million dollar lawsuit against the Victorian government for the blockade

Jim’s Mowing founder Jim Penman says his Victorian contractors financially affected by Melbourne’s second tight shutdown could sue the state government for $ 7 million.

Penman told Australia’s NCA NewsWire that 615 contractors across the state were losing about $ 3,000 a week since the Premier’s controversial workplace restrictions prevented cleaners and gardeners from working.

“We have repeatedly asked the Prime Minister for strong evidence that what my company does somehow contributes to the spread of the coronavirus and we have not received anything, just that his decision is based on expert health advice, but that is not a strong evidence, “he said. said.

“City hall workers are doing the same job, and in groups, however, my company and contractors are being prevented from earning a living – here’s an absolutely legitimate claim for compensation.

“I’m not happy that taxpayers have to pay once we proceed legally, but my workers are being denied the opportunity to work, earn a living, pay taxes and contribute to the economy as a result of this insanity – it’s basically 7 million Australian dollars. Bank card outside the Victorian economy. “

The lawnmower mogul said he had offered to pay for “superior legal advice,” which he would then turn over to his hundreds of contractors seeking financial compensation.

“He used to support Daniel Andrews and what he was doing,” Penman said.

“I would go live on Facebook every week and encourage people to wear masks, to download the COVIDSafe application, since I am part of a franchise and had the way to do it. But this stupidity has lasted a long time.”

Last week, Penman wrote a letter to all Victoria’s crusader politicians as parliament voted Tuesday on the prime minister’s controversial bill to extend Victoria’s state of emergency for another 12 months.

“You are our only hope,” he wrote.

“People’s lives are destroyed and the great state of Victoria has sunk into a ruin that will take decades to heal. You represent the will of the people and are custodians of the Victorian Parliament and the laws of this state. I urge you to defend.

“Tens of thousands of Victorians are entitled to fair compensation under the Public Health and Welfare Act 2008 because they have been kicked out of work without good reason. If they refuse, they have the right to appeal to VCAT. It is vital that no changes are made to this law to prevent people from getting what they deserve. This is not welfare for millionaires. I personally will not earn a penny from it. It is justice for vulnerable people who have no voice. It is the essence of democracy . “

Prime Minister Daniel Andrews has continually implored that tough restrictions are in place to protect Victorians from future outbreaks.

He said Monday that Melburnites would have to wait another week for details on a “roadmap” to get out of the Stage 4 lockdown, and that the announcement would be made on September 6.

“It is too early today to establish that roadmap and close it so to speak,” he said.

“The data from another week is vitally important to make sure the strategy continues to work and so that we have a better idea of ​​how long it will take to reduce these numbers to very, very low numbers so that they can be contained uncontrollably without the putting restrictions not only for weeks and months, but for a longer period, finding that COVID-19 is normal and observing for many months. “

Victoria recorded 73 new infections overnight and her highest number of daily deaths, with 41 lives lost.

The death toll included deaths from the past few weeks not previously reported.

It is the highest number of deaths in a single day in Victoria with the previous record of 25 deaths recorded on August 17.