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Herald Sun
09-05-2025
- Herald Sun
Brendan Rowswell twin spinning his way out of PR biz
Don't miss out on the headlines from Page 13. Followed categories will be added to My News. Oops, this page cannot be found. It seems fate has finally caught up with multiple drink-driving offender Brendan Rowswell. The well-connected businessman – and twin brother of state shadow environment minister Brad Rowswell – was the high-flying executive at CPR public relations, specialising in government relations with direct lines into Spring St and corporate Victoria. After exceeding the limit last year and recently again blowing over three times the legal limit with a BAC of .162, he was reprimanded in court with conviction, fined $1500 and disqualified from driving for 32 months. It wasn't that stiff a penalty given the former high-flying director of the leading public relations company had already pleaded guilty some years back after speeding in his Mercedes from officers in Black Rock and again blowing more than three times the legal limit. But his time as a director at Communications and Public Relations (CPR) has finally come to an end. His name is no longer to be found on the website. A brief and carefully worded statement from CPR, which was acquired by Civic last year, was given to Page 13, saying: 'After 14 years, Brendan has decided to step back and take a break from consulting.' Nothing like spin doctors writing their own spin! Some may remember Rowswell after he was investigated after being accused by another young Liberal of nuzzling his head into her chest at a 2006 ALSF function that was addressed by John Howard. The same year, he was also embroiled in a scandal at the Melbourne University Liberal Club where he was accused of making anti-Semitic remarks. Page 13 understands he has taken some time out to reflect.
Herald Sun
25-04-2025
- Business
- Herald Sun
Dan Andrews in the rough with Chinese business contacts over Moonah Links golf bid
Don't miss out on the headlines from Page 13. Followed categories will be added to My News. Former Premier Dan Andrews makes a quid these days from helping make connections and networking with Chinese businessmen get a footing in the state he once ran. But it seems not all of China is enamoured with his work given it was the Chinese owners of Moonah Links Golf Resort who were circling the wagons this week to put an end to his latest quest to find a coastal golf club to call home. Page 13 can reveal there have been several crisis meetings called by the Chinese bosses after the outrage and vitriol from golfers which had flooded the Moonah Links social pages when news broke that Andrews had been 'snuck in the back door' and had become a member of the Mornington Peninsula golf club. Hell hath no fury like a golfer scorned. The club — which boasts the largest golf tourism development in recent Victorian history and consists of two world class courses — copped a litany of abusive phone calls and emails from members and those in the golfing community quivering in rage at the revelation that Andrews had got in through his good friend, rich lister Max Beck. Beck – a property developer and co-owner of Essendon Fields and a Foundation Member at Moonah Links – is one of the club's 60 shareholders who have two nominated members. To get Andrews in, Beck swapped out his wife, Lorraine, and added the former politician. Page 13 understands Mrs Beck was none too pleased when she found out about the move and even though she's not a regular golfer, she wanted her membership reinstated which meant Dan was struck off. To say the club was very pleased with this development this week is putting it mildly with one telling Page 13: 'They don't want anything to do with him, if anything they are trying to work out a potential 'Dan Ban' into their rules and conditions that would vet who comes in under their code of conduct.' On Thursday they issued a statement on their social media page saying: 'Moonah Links Golf Resort wishes to address recent public speculation regarding former Premier Daniel Andrews. 'We can confirm that Mr Daniel Andrews is not a member of Moonah Links Golf Resort. 'Moonah Links continues to focus on providing a world class golfing experience and supporting events that promote sport, tourism and community development.' Moonah Links joins a growing list of 'Dan Ban' courses where the ex-Premier had been trying to get a membership at several other of Victoria's most prestigious clubs only to meet fierce opposition. Last year there was a revolt against any attempt for him to join the National Golf Club on Cape Schanck and then an uprising to stop his admission to the nearby Portsea course. Andrews is a longstanding member of the exclusive Kingston Heath Golf Club, in Heatherton, where he has also faced strong hostility from some fellow members. They have been known to exit when he turns up at the driving range and he is never sighted at the 19th hole after a round, preferring to scurry away after a round. Read related topics: Daniel Andrews
