More than 350,000 fans are expected to flock to Albert Park this weekend as the Formula 1® Heineken® Australian Grand Prix roars back into Melbourne.

It’s Grand Prix week in Victoria and the excitement and energy is palpable. It will be extra special in 2022 as we remember the dramatic circumstances under which it was cancelled in 2020 when the reality of COVID-19 hit us like a wrecking ball. How far we have come since then as Victorian business continues to embrace the opportunities that lie ahead.

One of the country’s largest superannuation funds was formed recently when Sunsuper and QSuper merged to form Australian Retirement Trust, which now takes care of more than $200 billion in retirement savings for two million members.

The Victorian Chamber welcomes the 2022-23 Federal Budget which will help support Victoria’s economic recovery.

The Victorian Chamber’s advocacy has helped secure significant wins in the Federal Budget with increased funding for skills and training, commitments for two Victorian freight terminals and a much-needed boost for regional tourism.

Supporting Victoria’s visitor economy, building a new interstate freight terminal and boosting clean energy industries to create jobs and build a thriving manufacturing sector are the key pillars of the Victorian Chamber of Commerce and Industry’s Federal Election Platform.

The Victorian Chamber is pleased to launch our Federal Election Platform, which pitches three big ideas that will benefit Victorian businesses and jobs, secure the progress of our state, and drive economic development into the future.

It’s hard to describe what an incredible feeling it is to finally be able to move around our great state again and enjoy all Regional Victoria has to offer, whether it’s our beautiful towns, beaches, lakes, rivers, wineries, golf courses or restaurants.

Attendance records are set to tumble and Victoria’s economy given a huge shot in the arm when the Formula 1 Grand Prix returns to Albert Park next month after a two-year absence.

The Chamber is working overtime to ensure business remains our number one priority. As we have done right through the pandemic, we are continuing to advocate strongly on behalf of our members with all levels of government in what will be a critical year with both federal and state elections.

Analysis by major road operator Transurban has found commuters are choosing private vehicles over public transport as our habits and routines evolve as a result of the pandemic.

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.

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.

Pat McCluskey and Pat Boland founded ANCA (formerly Australian Numerical Control and Automation) in 1974. Today it is a thriving business headquartered in Melbourne with more than 1,000 employees and a world-leading manufacturer of computer numerical control (CNC) grinding machines, motion controls, sheet metal solutions and component design and manufacturing.

‘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.

The Victorian Chamber encourages members to explore SME Connect, an initiative from national science agency CSIRO, which connects local small-to-medium businesses with Australia's research sector and facilitates innovation-driven partnerships through funding, support and resources.