When Victoria's Industry and Trade Minister Martin Pakula was asked about Melbourne billionaire retailer Solomon Lew's criticisms of the business shutdown, which will hit his Just Jeans and Portmans brands, he admitted he had never met or spoken to one of the state's largest employers.

"I don't think I've spoken to Solly Lew in my life, to be honest," Mr Pakula told Melbourne's 3AW radio. "Obviously I know who Solly Lew is but he is not a person I confer with. I don't think I've ever met the man."