Victorian business needs certainty and clarity about when they can plan to welcome back customers and staff as we progress towards hitting the National Cabinet’s COVID-19 vaccination targets of 70 and 80 per cent.

The Victorian Chamber welcomes the further $2.34 billion in joint State and Federal Government support announced today for Victorian businesses and workers to get through the continued extension of Lockdown Six.

Victorian businesses are devastated by the news that Metropolitan Victoria’s lockdown will be extended indefinitely.

The Victorian Chamber welcomes today’s prompt announcement of a new $400 million State and Federal Government support package, which will give businesses the confidence they need to get through Lockdown Six and continue the recovery from Lockdowns Four and Five.

Just as Victorians were beginning to enjoy the freedoms we have missed, the State has been plunged into its sixth COVID-19 related lockdown.

The State and Federal Governments have today announced a joint financial assistance package for Victorian business which will give them the support and confidence they need to rebound from Lockdowns Four and Five.

The Victorian Chamber has today launched a new member-exclusive service, the Grant Finder online tool, to make it quicker and easier for Victorian businesses to access grants applicable to their operations and projects.

Today’s announcement that restrictions will further ease from 11.59 tomorrow, Thursday 17 June, is welcome news that will enable every Victorian business to operate, but the restrictions on Metropolitan Victoria are still too conservative.

The Victorian Chamber welcomes today’s news that most Victorian businesses can operate from 11.59pm tomorrow, 10 June, but will continue to advocate for a snapback to pre-lockdown restrictions. Metropolitan Melbourne will go to Regional Victoria’s current settings while Regional Victoria’s restrictions will be eased even further.

The Victorian Chamber has today voiced its concerns over reports that the State Government will increase stamp duty and land tax next year.

The Industrial Relations Legislation Amendment Bill 2021, to be debated in Parliament this week, recognises the challenges that the labour hire industry is facing in the wake of COVID-19.

The Victorian Chamber has launched a campaign for couples to celebrate Valentine’s Day – properly –two weeks later, on 28 February to provide a much-needed boost for hospitality venues and florists blindsided by the sudden circuit breaker lockdown.

There has been a lot of commentary around this week about the Australian Open 2021 proceeding and the Victorian Chamber of Commerce and Industry would like to voice our support.