Libs’ industry meeting raises questions, and eyebrows, about Shadow Treasurer Brad Rowswell

Between encouraging poll results and a high-power industry meeting, all was looking up for the state Liberals. There’s just one problem …

It was a case of 'find the shadow treasurer' at an industry meeting on Monday

Putting the squeeze on Victoria’s movers, shakers and headline makers

It’s been a decade of disappointment for the Vic Libs but after Monday’s RedBridge poll showed John Pesutto’s mob neck and neck with Labor, they could be forgiven for daring to dream at the half-way point of this parliamentary term.

By a lucky coincidence the poll dropped the same day the “Victorian Liberals and Nationals’ Economic Team hosted a roundtable with Consuls-General, Chambers of Commerce, and industry leaders from Victoria’s major international trading partners” as the Deputy Liberal Leader David Southwick captioned his Instagram post recording the historic occasion.

Weeks in the planning, the meeting was a chance to spruik the Coalition’s readiness to rule in front of major employers including, among others, Fonterra, Swisse Vitamins and Ryman Health Care.

“Boosting trade creates jobs, lowers prices, and makes life easier for millions of Victorians. In a cost-of-living crisis, that matters,” Southwick wrote.

“Whether it’s growing our economy at home or abroad, the Victorian Liberals and Nationals will always work for a more prosperous Victoria.”`

Good stuff … but wait …

Scanning the photo The Source couldn’t seem to spot the Liberal Party’s main economic weapon, the Shadow Treasurer Brad Rowswell, who for some mysterious reason is known to his colleagues as “Chumpy”.

Leader of the Opposition, John Pesutton and Shadow Treasurer, Brad Rowswell front the media. Picture: NCA NewsWire

Perhaps his absence from the snap could be explained by the fact he’d been taking the picture.

The Source decided to investigate by forwarding the snap to a few of his colleagues, asking: “Where’s Chumpy?”

“Had something else on,” one replied diplomatically.

Others were less polite.

“He’s becoming John’s biggest issue after the court case,” another replied.

“Everyone is talking about it.”

“Very odd. Very odd indeed,” said a third.

Curious, The Source decided to investigate the Chumpster’s work-rate as measured by his press releases.

The results were not encouraging.

It’s a target rich environment for a shadow treasurer in Jacinta Allan’s Victoria.

But for some reason, Rowswell’s last two press releases were on interest rates and inflation, which last time The Source looked were federal not state matters.