Victorian Treasurer Tim Pallas handed down the State Budget on Tuesday afternoon and I’m sure many of you went straight to how it would impact your business, positive or negative.

Treasurer of Victoria Tim Pallas told Victorian Chamber guests that the 2023/24 Victorian Budget was “a really difficult budget” but was confident of the path ahead for business in the State.

The negatives outweigh the positive initiatives for business in the Victorian State Budget 2023-24 released today, with medium and large businesses and multiple property owners facing increased costs to repay State debt.

The Victorian Chamber of Commerce and Industry welcomes the Victorian Government announcement to replace stamp duty for commercial and industrial properties with an annual property tax.

The Victorian Chamber encourages small and large employers to nominate and have their efforts recognised at the Victorian Skills Authority’s Victorian Training Awards for 2023.

WorkCover changes announced today will see premiums increase by more than 40 per cent, changes to mental health eligibility and the creation of a new pilot program for impacted workers.

As business awaits next week’s State Budget, the latest feedback from our members is that regained confidence post-pandemic has waned in the face of tough economic conditions.

Solar power is now more accessible for small and medium businesses through measures announced in the 2023/24 Federal Budget combined with Victorian incentives.

Geelong, Bendigo, Ballarat, Gippsland and Shepparton will be on the world stage as the hosts of the 2026 Commonwealth Games.

We have one hot off the press today! We are incredibly proud to announce that the Victorian Chamber of Commerce and Industry has been named as one of four finalists in the 13th World Chambers Congress (WCC) 2023 Competition in the Best Gender Equity Project category for our Chamber Change (Women in Business) program.

Improved careers services and advice is increasingly important in a labour market characterised by skills and labour shortages, skills mismatches and perceptions of vocational education and training (VET).

As we approach the budget season, we are in continuing discussions with the State Government to ensure business remains positioned to provide the growth the State needs. I expect those meetings will continue over the next few weeks as well.

On Tuesday, we reflected on the sacrifice that generations of Australians and New Zealanders have made to protect our way of life. Hundreds of Anzac Day commemorations took place across the State to honour the Anzac spirit; it felt to me as if that spirit was particularly prominent this year, perhaps it was heightened among Victorians because of the war in Ukraine and global instability.

Melbourne has been chosen to host the inaugural Asia Pacific (APAC) Offshore Wind and Green Hydrogen Summit from 29-31 August.

The Victorian Government’s Head Start school-based apprenticeship program has broadened to roll out to all government secondary schools by the end of 2023.

It certainly feels like the year continues to accelerate, and I hope you are doing what you need to ensure your business is in good shape.