For young and diverse people, getting a foot in the door can be a difficult process. But in a skills shortage, investing in youth and diversity is a proven solution to these problems.

On Tuesday we had the privilege of partnering with the Herald Sun to host our second annual “Future Victoria” lunch at Crown Melbourne’s spectacular Aviary event space.

It was wonderful to start the week with a call from our new Victorian Premier, Jacinta Allan bright and early at 8.15am.

Foodifox offers an innovative food delivery solution through smart, thermal lockers that makes food delivery secure, efficient, reliable and convenient.

I want to extend my congratulations to Victoria’s new Premier, Jacinta Allan and Deputy Premier Ben Carroll. Their appointment is fantastic news for the business community, and we have longstanding and productive relationships with both. I am delighted that they will be tasked with taking our State forward. I know they are both up for the challenge and I know they both are acutely aware of what business – all of you – contribute to our great State.

Melbourne Airport contributes $17.7 billion in Gross Value Added (GVA) to Victoria with more than 18,000 direct jobs across the precinct and a further 146,000 jobs supported across the State.

Some of you will have been involved in our Housing Taskforce, which is nearing completion. On Tuesday I had an opinion piece published in the Herald Sun which highlights what we have heard during the extensive consultation.

Melbourne Chamber members CSIRO and Boeing Australia have teamed up on a landmark roadmap outlining sustainable aviation in Australia.

I'm excited to provide a short preview of an upcoming report that we believe will greatly benefit our members. Our Housing Taskforce has been diligently working on a comprehensive document to help address the housing challenges faced by our community.

One in three adults in Australia say they are lonely, AIA Australia reports.

Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre (MCEC) is a major contributor to Victoria’s economy. Over the last 25 years, the venue has hosted more than 20,000 events attracting millions of local, national and international visitors and generated billions in economic benefit to the state.

On Monday afternoon, Federal Workplace Relations Minister Tony Burke introduced the Government’s “Closing the Loopholes” Fair Work Act Amendment Bill, which proposes significant changes to our industrial relations landscape.

I was incredibly proud today as our President Adrian Kloeden hosted a lunch to celebrate the Victorian Chamber’s 25 years of involvement in supporting Apprenticeships in Victoria. It was an honour to be joined by so many members and esteemed guests at Crown Melbourne for Apprenticeship Support Australia’s (ASA) 25-year celebration luncheon, including our guest speaker, the Hon Brendan O’Connor MP, Federal Minister for Skills and Training.

As a leading rail manufacturer, Alstom builds the trams and trains that service metro and regional Victoria.

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.

Melbourne Chamber members Melbourne Polytechnic and Jayco Australia were among the major winners at the 69th annual Victorian Training Awards.