I’m coming to you this week from beautiful Bendigo, where today we hosted one of our important Regional Roundtables. Hearing directly from business and industry is the best way for us to really get to the heart of our members’ concerns and challenges.

We are gearing up for our highly-anticipated Victorian Chamber Presents: Victoria – the home of innovation event next week. Political and industry leaders, entrepreneurs and visionaries will come together to reveal future trends and explore strategies to foster innovation in the business landscape.

Taking the temperature of the Victorian business community over the past few weeks, there is a distinctive chill in the confidence barometer. 

I was fortunate to catch up this week with an extremely impressive woman in Freda Miriklis, Chair of the Commonwealth Businesswomen’s Network (CBWN). The Victorian Chamber first cemented our connection with the CWBN in Geneva at the World Chambers Congress, where our Chamber Change program was a finalist in the Best Gender Equity Project category in the World Chambers Competition. It was great to discuss how we are going to collaborate with the CWBN to continue our work to help empower women in business.

I hope this finds you well. I, for one, am still buzzing from last night’s Victorian Chamber President’s Dinner – our night of nights where we get to celebrate our members and the contribution that business makes to our great state.

According to the Reserve Bank of Australia, “any market economy will function much more effectively if the population is knowledgeable, forward-looking and financially literate”.

In another busy week for the Victorian Chamber, the hallways of our Collins St headquarters on Tuesday best demonstrated the role we play across all levels and sides of government.

A new discussion paper launched by the Victorian Opposition encourages people to have their say on Victoria’s tax system – which has introduced 50 new or increased taxes since 2014 and is described as “discouraging investment and job creation in our State”.

While we usually open with a positive message, there is no way to sugarcoat the blow of the news that Victoria will no longer be hosting the 2026 Commonwealth Games.

The Victorian Government will not proceed with hosting the Commonwealth Games in 2026, advising the Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) and Commonwealth Games Australia (CGA) that it will be terminating the Host Agreement.

I want to kick this week’s message off by extending my heartfelt congratulations to Travis Auld on behalf of the Victorian and Melbourne Chambers, on his appointment as the new Chief Executive of the Australian Grand Prix.

I hope this update finds you well. It’s a privilege to be Acting Chief Executive of the Victorian Chamber as we’re in the midst of NAIDOC Week celebration, and I would like to acknowledge the traditional owners of the land on which we work, live, and operate our businesses. It is a time to reflect on the rich history, culture, and achievements of our First Nations people, and to renew our commitment to reconciliation and inclusivity.

Two incentives to support small and medium businesses to train and upskill employees and improve their digital capacity are set to deliver more than $1.5 billion in tax benefits.

Yesterday the Victorian Chamber proudly released our Regulatory Reform Policy Paper. This paper provides the pragmatic next steps for Victoria’s Regulatory Reform Agenda through four significant policy reform recommendations. Adoption of these recommendations would enhance productivity, competitiveness and the overall business environment in the state.

EOFY is the perfect time to review your business performance and set your goals for the coming year. Did you achieve what you planned this financial year? Look ahead to set new goals and re-align your business focus.

It is with deep sadness that the Victorian Chamber of Commerce pays tribute to esteemed former politician, the Hon. Simon Crean. A highly respected figure in Australian politics, Mr Crean made significant contributions to the nation, leaving an indelible mark on the economic landscape of Victoria and the entire country.