The Victorian Chamber of Commerce and Industry today released its Cost and Ease of Doing Business in Victoria Report which features an Australian-first index that ranks the cost of doing business across all states and territories, member survey results and feedback from roundtables. This was part of the Cost and Ease of Doing Business Taskforce, headed by Victorian Chamber Vice President Adrian Kloeden and Regional Chair – Bendigo Kate Mannix.

The Federal Government has announced plans to introduce legislation that will make COVID-19 testing expenses tax deductible for individuals and businesses when used to attend a place of work.

The Victorian Chamber was pleased to partner with Crown Melbourne on business recovery webinars designed to help regional businesses bounce back following consecutive lockdowns and sparse tourism.

The Victorian Chamber of Commerce and Industry welcomes the State Government’s decision to change a number of COVID-19 restrictions in a move that will assist in boosting business but we are frustrated that the State Government is yet to give the green light for workers to begin returning to the office safely.

The State Government has eased several restrictions around density limits, QR check-ins and surveillance testing, with changes to office settings flagged, but yet to be formalised.

The State Government is dropping the ‘strong recommendation’ that Victorians work from home, while masks will no longer be needed in offices and most other indoor settings, following the latest update to Pandemic Orders.

The Victorian Chamber of Commerce and Industry is elated by today’s announcement that the State Government’s ‘strong recommendation’ to work or study from home will be removed, while masks will no longer be needed in most indoor settings as of 11:59pm on Friday, 25 February 2022.

The Victorian Government is committed to transitioning towards a circular economy. 'Recycling Victoria: A new economy' is the Victorian Government’s 10-year circular economy policy and action plan to fundamentally transform the state’s recycling sector, reduce waste, create thousands of jobs and set Victoria up for a more sustainable future.

Great news this week with several positive developments to set us on a cracking pace for our state’s COVID-19 recovery.

Amid the recent return-to-office announcement, there is no better time to foster a resilient workplace through the Victorian Chamber’s extensive catalogue of training courses, that are now returning to an in-person format.

The Victorian Chamber is proud to celebrate International Women’s Day and amplify the call for diverse, equitable and inclusive workplaces.

Belle Lim was an international student in Victoria and had just graduated with a Bachelor of Pharmaceutical Sciences when, looking to the future, she found it hard to form industry connections and seek role models to relate to. From this, Future Female was born.

‘Building back business’ and ‘building for our future’ are the cornerstones of the Victorian Chamber’s submission to the Australian Government ahead of the 2022-23 Federal Budget.

Yesterday we celebrated International Women’s Day, a global event marking the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women, and amplifying the call for diverse, equitable and inclusive workplaces.

Habits can be hard to break and I’m sure we all felt a bit uncertain last week as office workers started to return after the better part of two years working from home.

The 2022-23 State Budget must enable business to play a leading role in Victoria’s economic recovery according to the Victorian Chamber.