Robert Ian "Rob" Knowles (born 4 July 1947) is a former Australian politician.
He was born in Ballarat to farmer Robert Joseph Knowles and Dulce, née Odgers.
He was a member of the Liberal Party, serving as chairman of the Ballarat Federal Electorate Council from 1972 to 1976, a state executive with the Young Liberals, and a member of the state executive from 1973 to 1976.
[1] In 1976, Knowles was elected to the Victorian Legislative Council as a member for Ballarat Province.
He served on various committees until his elevation to the front bench as Shadow Minister for the Aged and for Housing in 1991.