Milanda Rout | November 28, 2008 Article from: The Australian
DEPUTY Prime Minister Julia Gillard's partner, Tim Mathieson, chucked a sickie yesterday, missing his first public appearance as a health ambassador.
But he should have plenty of time to champion the cause of men's health for the federal Government -- the hair products salesman is looking for another paid job after parting ways earlier this month with his employer of two years.
The end of Mr Mathieson's tenure with PPS Hairware emerged yesterday after he was a late no-show at his first scheduled public appearance since his controversial appointment to the health ambassador's role.
In addition to his promotion as one of the Rudd Government's new faces of men's health, Mr Mathieson was this week made ambassador for Kidney Health Australia. He had agreed to attend a media event for the charity at the Melbourne Cricket Ground yesterday alongside Australian football great Ron Barassi.
But the 52-year-old part-time hairdresser rang organisers two hours before the function to say his car had broken down on the highway from his home town of Shepparton, two hours north of Melbourne, and that he could not make the 11am event.
Mr Mathieson's tardy start follows criticism of his appointment by Health Minister Nicola Roxon.
Mr Mathieson's credentials to fill an ambassador's role are unclear, given he has no medical or health expertise. Staff for Ms Gillard further confused the situation yesterday when they told The Australian Mr Mathieson had not been able to attend the event in Melbourne because he was busy selling hair care products in country Victoria.
However, further inquires revealed Mr Mathieson no longer worked for the hair care product company.
The Australian understands Mr Mathieson and the company parted two weeks ago when it was decided that his job as a salesman "didn't work out" for either side.
Despite Mr Mathieson's experience as a hairdresser -- he was working in an inner-Melbourne salon on the day he met Ms Gillard -- it is understood the Sydney-based company believed he wasn't qualified to sell its range of hair care products. Mr Mathieson now works one or two days a week at the Shepparton hair salon he once owned with his brother.
The hairdressing business -- originally known as Tim Mathieson Hairdressing -- was sold to new owners after Mr Mathieson divested his interest.
"He has a very loyal client base," said the new owner, Jenny.
Ms Gillard's staff later confirmed to The Australian that Mr Mathieson had stopped selling hair care products and clarified that he had experienced car trouble en route to Melbourne yesterday.
Despite Mr Mathieson's failure to appear at yesterday's function, Kidney Health Australia chief executive Anne Wilson said she was delighted to have him on board as an ambassador.
