Jim Penman

Early life

Penman's mother, Margaret Moxham, was a teacher from Scone, New South Wales, who met Tom Penman at a Youth Hostel in Wales, while she was holidaying in the United Kingdom. The family emigrated to Australia in 1955 and eventually there were four children: Lynne, David (Jim), Chris and Gill. Tom Penman worked in different roles, including academic with the University of Adelaide and Chief Engineer at Carlton United Breweries.

Education

Penman attended Prince Alfred College in Adelaide, Sydney Church of England Grammar School and Melbourne Grammar, followed by an Honours Degree in history at La Trobe University. In 1974, Penman commenced PhD degree studies at La Trobe University, under the supervision of June Philipp, who was part of a network of ethnographic historians called "the Melbourne Group" The PhD thesis looked at character as a key to understanding history. Penman's thesis was initially rejected in 1981, although Penman's supervisor then suggested that he rewrite the methodology section of the thesis. Penman followed the suggestion, and the thesis was re-submitted in 1983 and subsequently accepted in April 1984, under the title 'Personality and Culture'. At the time, the thesis did not attract any scholarly attention.

Penman has been married four times and has 11 children. He was an atheist up to his conversion to Christianity in 1979, and he describes himself as an evangelical Christian. He attended a conservative creationist church, although he himself is an evolutionist. He is currently a member of Crossway Baptist Church.

Penman joined the Libertarian Party in October 2025, with The Australian reporting that his focus would be on housing policies. Penman was endorsed in February 2026 by the Libertarian Party to contest the electoral district of Northcote, currently held by Labor MP Kat Theophanous, at the 2026 Victorian state election.