The Victorian Chamber welcomes the Federal Government’s 2023-2024 ‘Stronger foundations for a better future’ Budget which delivers a $4.2 billion surplus. The fundamentals of defence, skills and the transition to a net zero economy are clear winners in an otherwise modest budget with few surprises.

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.

The Executive Council has called a special general meeting of members to consider and, if thought fit, approve the Victorian Chamber of Commerce and Industry's proposed change in entity type from a body corporate established under the Fair Work (Registered Organisations) Act 2009 (Cth) to a company limited by guarantee registered under the Corporations Act 2001 (Cth). The special general meeting will be held on 19 May 2023 at 9:30am at Level 3, 150 Collins Street, Melbourne VIC 3000 and online, using online platform Zoom.

With post-pandemic hybrid work here to stay, Melbourne Chamber member Swinburne University of Technology has identified a ‘2023-defining trend’ beyond working from home.

Increasing mental injury WorkCover claims highlights a concerning trend and the importance of prioritising the mental health and safety of employees.

Safe Work Australia (SWA) has published a new report highlighting the trends and costs of workplace injury and illness in Australia.

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.

WorkSafe is encouraging workplaces to apply for a share in more than $4 million from the WorkWell Respect Fund towards new initiatives that help prevent work-related gendered violence, including sexual harassment.

I hope you all had a wonderful and safe long weekend. It was certainly great to have a break, and hopefully some of you can enjoy extra time with your children as we enter school holidays.

The shift to a net-zero economy will require a collective effort but is a challenge Victoria can rise to with the right mindset and the right actions, enabling government and industry to work together to reach our emission targets and seize the economic opportunities for Victoria.

People analytics presents a significant opportunity for businesses. Those with the systems in place to collect data and use it to inform their decision-making can optimise talent programs, close skills gaps and improve business performance.

Experience the ultimate flexibility with the Victorian Chamber’s newly released e-learning self-paced courses covering themes of workplace mental health, an effective hybrid workforce and exporting essentials.

We saw Melbourne at its best over the weekend as we played host to a Melbourne-record Formula One crowd of more than 440,000 people at Albert Park.

According to ZEN Energy CEO Anthony Garnaut, while Victoria is not the sunniest place in Australia, “it's a lot sunnier than Germany”, meaning the cost of solar even in Melbourne is a lot cheaper than building a solar farm in the sunniest part of Germany.