Well, we made it through, and Christmas is now on our doorstep.

On 1 July this year, WorkSafe Victoria introduced provisional payments to provide better support for workers with a mental injury. Eligible workers and volunteers who submit a mental injury claim can now access provisional payments for reasonable treatment and services while their claim is being determined.

Just when we thought it was smooth sailing, we’ve hit a slight bump with the new COVID-19 variant, Omicron. I know many of you may be experiencing familiar feelings of anxiousness this week with the news of Omicron emerging across the world and here in Australia.

Hindsight is a funny thing. Had we known the COVID-19 wrecking ball was coming for us, we would have ducked for cover. We can’t use that excuse anymore.

Grab your family, grab your friends, and grab your workmates - it’s time to celebrate and enjoy our state again! The Victorian Chamber was delighted by today’s State Government announcement that it will lift the majority of restrictions across the state which will give all our businesses the best chance to roar back.

How good was it seeing our state roar back to life over the weekend? It was so exciting to see crowds at events and smiles on the faces of so many as they celebrated Victoria’s reopening over the past few days.

The One Stop One Story Hub Pilot Program aims to ease the burdens faced by people experiencing vulnerability by providing a single access point for a range of support services.

Sunday was a good day for most when we heard the State Government’s roadmap had been bought forward. I cannot wait to see the smiles on the faces of business owners, staff and customers when we start to emerge from lockdown in Metropolitan Melbourne this week.

Mental health has become one of the most important conversations to have in workplaces over the past two years. The widespread impacts of COVID-19 have moved beyond the health epidemic it began as, with the ongoing consequences morphing into a financial, educational, and mental health crisis that will be felt for years to come as the world moves into recovery mode from the effects of the pandemic.

While Globe’s customers are renowned thrill seekers, the specialist apparel, footwear and skateboard manufacturer and distributer isn’t taking any risks with its staff’s mental health.

From the pre-existing challenges facing Australia’s energy industry to the obstacles the COVID-19 pandemic has presented, AGL has continued to uphold its commitment to keeping the lights on, the gas flowing and providing reliable and affordable energy for millions of Australians.

The Occupational Health and Safety and other Legislation Amendment Act of 2021 became law as of Wednesday 22 September. Here’s what you need to know.

October is finally here, and we are three weeks or less from hitting the 70 per cent target to start the reopening. It’s within sight now, and we can finally start to think about waving goodbye to lockdowns forever. The Victorian Chamber is continuing our push for the State Government to revise openings at both the 70 and 80 per cent targets.

Businesses and workers have sacrificed, suffered and done their bit to protect us all from COVID-19. They stayed closed, in some cases without work, pivoted their services to keep Victorians employed and many lost what they had spent years building. Businesses across the State are in crisis.

I had a close friend message me from London on the weekend, as he sat comfortably in a coffee shop on Regent Street.

Sunday was not the news we wanted. The roadmap fell short: short of hope, short of NSW and short of where we need to be moving to as a state.