An Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI) submission to the Federal Government’s review of Australia’s migration system proposes comprehensive reform to boost growth, create jobs and encourage innovation.

Happy New Year! I hope you all had a fantastic Christmas and New Year’s with your families and friends and that at least some of you got to enjoy a break. We know this is a busy time for many businesses and we are grateful for your ongoing hard work during the holiday period.

New laws banning problematic single-use plastics from sale or supply in Victoria come into effect from Wednesday, 1 February.

Start the new year by taking advantage of a range of government grants, funding, incentives and support services to boost your business.

Your business could benefit from the many grants and assistance programs available to help local exporters grow and sell their products globally.

As Acting Chief Executive, it’s exciting to see so many people getting out and about across Victoria as the summer weather provides the perfect conditions for lapping up what we love about this great state. Many Victorians are returning to work while others are taking an extended break at our tourist hot spots, enjoying the Australian Open, the Lunar New Year and a myriad of other events.

It’s great to be back after a break enjoying Regional Victoria and thank you to Chanelle, Scott and the team for doing such a fantastic job while I was away. It has already been a big week as school holidays finish and students head back to the classroom. No doubt there’s been a few tears shed by parents of those children starting school and even some tears of joy for parents of those returning!

Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) has become something of a buzz term in business. But what does it really mean and why is it good for business?

The CEO of the Victoria 2026 Commonwealth Games Jeroen Weimar says the event will present significant opportunities for Victorian businesses, particularly those in the regions.

The Australian Apprenticeships Priority List has been expanded, adding occupations eligible for financial support.

The Victorian Chamber has released a roadmap aimed at helping reduce energy prices, ensure the reliability of energy supply, capitalise on investment opportunities and support businesses in the transition to a net-zero economy.

Well, it seems we are going to have to get used to interest rates continuing to rise if this weeks commentary is anything to go by. I’m sure you all felt the impact of the latest interest rate rise in some way. It’s another cost increase that will hit most businesses either directly or indirectly via the potential decline in consumer spending.

The Victorian Chamber of Commerce and Industry has released `Achieving a Net-Zero Economy: Roadmap for Victorian Businesses’ aimed at helping to reduce energy prices, ensure the reliable supply of energy and support businesses in the transition to a net-zero economy.

The Victorian Chamber and Youth Activating Youth (YAY) are enjoying strong demand for our placement program that offers multicultural and disadvantaged youth an opportunity of meaningful employment.

I’ve spent a large part of the last week engaging with various stakeholders including Victorian Government Ministers and our members about the rising costs involved with running a business, escalating electricity and gas prices, and what the road to net zero looks like.

The Victorian Chamber encourages members to participate in the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry’s (ACCI’s) 2023 National Trade Survey, which closes on March 1.