Well, it’s been quite a week! Today is the start of the Federal Government’s Jobs and Skills Summit in Canberra.

The Victorian Chamber of Commerce and Industry has put forward recommendations to the Jobs and Skills Summit to build a skilled workforce for the future, increase labour participation and boost productivity.

I don’t know about you, but it does seem like there is a lot going on at the moment. I’ve been to a fantastic meeting with members in Mildura, and also managed to get to Canberra and back for a series of meetings with the Australian Chamber in the lead up to the Jobs and Skills Summit.

The Victorian Chamber welcomes the Victorian Skills Authority’s (VSA’s) recently released roadmap to ensure we have a skilled workforce to perform the jobs of the future.

Eligible casual, contract and self-employed workers now have access to 38 hours of sick and carer’s pay each year.

Greetings from Mildura up on the mighty Murray River where I’m meeting with businesses as part of our series of regional roundtable meetings. It’s been great to get out on the road and engage with members to hear more about the issues impacting business across Victoria.

A Victorian Chamber webinar will examine a recent High Court decision and the implications of not taking proactive steps to reduce risk of psychiatric injury.

It’s been a challenging winter, but the end is finally approaching. The days are getting longer and warmer and the AFL Finals, Spring Racing Carnival, Royal Melbourne Show and school holidays are just around the corner. How good will it be to have them back!

As Bob Dylan famously once sang, “The times they are a-changing”. And so must our work practices to avoid inadvertently creating unsafe workspaces or tasks for our people.  

The Australian Apprenticeships Incentive System helps foster an inclusive and sustainable economy, ensuring Australians receive quality training while in employment.

Pass the baton because we are ready! If you’ve been watching the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham as enthusiastically as I have, it’s clear that the 2026 Games in Victoria offer massive opportunities for the State that we love.

This week, the Victorian Chamber hosted our first Chamber Change event to celebrate the commencement of our pilot women in business program.

Welcome to the first edition of our new Business First format! I hope you enjoy the content, which we have tailored to your selected interests and preferences. As always, we’d love your feedback.

To assist with managing COVID-19 in workplaces over winter, the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI) has set out a guide to address key health, safety and employment issues.

The Victorian Chamber of Commerce and Industry has pledged to drive more job opportunities for international students to help address critical labour shortages.

The chronic nationwide worker shortage is the biggest obstacle to Australia’s economic recovery. In a globally competitive environment, we need to make sure Australia is renowned as a great place to work, build a career and base your business.