Jim Penman to stand for the seat of Northcote in the 2026 Victorian state election

Australia's most recognisable franchise business founder, Jim Penman, has confirmed he will stand as a candidate in the upcoming 2026 Victorian state election, marking a significant new chapter in his public life.
 

Penman, the founder of the Jim's Group franchise network, has been formally endorsed by the Libertarian Party to contest the election scheduled for 28 November 2026, when all seats in Victoria's Legislative Assembly and Legislative Council will be up for election.
 

The election will determine the composition of the 61st Parliament of Victoria, with the current Labor Government, led by Premier Jacinta Allan, seeking a fourth consecutive term.
 

Penman said his decision to stand for election comes after growing concern about the rising cost of housing and rents, driven by zoning laws.
 

"The government forces up the cost of housing by restricting what can be built and where. Based on international comparisons, if we got rid of most such regulations, houses prices would be half what they are now," he said.
 

Young people could afford to buy, rents would be cheaper and homeless people could find somewhere to live."
 

He is also scathing about the rising tide of red tape, which strangles businesses and forces up prices.
 

"If my family wasn't in Victoria, this is the last state I'd choose to run a business from," he added.
 

"This state government is appalling. We are the worst state in ease of doing business, the highest taxing, the highest debt. We had the worst lockdown from Covid of any state and the highest levels of death from Covid.
 

"We spend billions on greenwashing, bureaucrats and boondoggles, like the Suburban Rail Loop. All of these and higher prices, cost the typical Victorian family tens of thousands of dollars a year."
 

Penman has supported the Liberal Party in the past, but says they're actually worse than Labor on zoning and tend to favour the well-off. He did an extensive survey of political parties in Victoria, before deciding that the Libertarians was the one Party most able to help ordinary Victorians.

From small business to public service
 

Penman founded Jim's Group in 1989, growing it into Australia's largest franchise system, spanning dozens of service industries and five and a half thousand franchisees.
 

He said the welfare of franchisees, contractors and small business owners would be a central focus of his campaign.
 

"Too often policy is made by people who have never met a payroll or dealt with red tape at street level," he said.
 

"I want to bring real-world experience into the conversation and stand up for people who feel increasingly ignored."
 

Electorate confirmation and campaign process underway
 

Libertarian Party spokesperson Ken Phillips said the party was delighted to welcome Jim Penman.
 

"Jim combines strong public recognition with substantial life and business experience and he brings clear ideas and 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.
 

"His insights and leadership are greatly needed in Parliament to drive meaningful reform and help put Victoria back on the right path."
 

A new voice in a pivotal election
 

Political analysts expect the 2026 Victorian election to be one of the most closely watched in recent years, with cost-of-living pressures, regulation, small business viability and government accountability shaping the contest.
 

Penman said his aim is not career politics, but service.
 

"I'm interested in outcomes, less waste, less over-regulation and more respect for the people who keep Victoria working," Penman emphasised.
 

Further announcements regarding electorate details and campaign priorities are expected in coming weeks.
 

About Jim Penman
 

Jim Penman is one of Australia's most recognised franchise business founders and the creator of Jim's Group franchise network, established in 1989. With decades of experience working alongside thousands of franchisees and business owners, Jim is a strong advocate for practical policy, reduced red tape and accountable government. He is standing for election to bring real-world business experience, economic discipline and community-focused leadership into the Victorian Parliament.