Today’s State Budget of new and increased taxes and levies will hit medium to large businesses and property owners. It will directly impact jobs and investment in Victoria.

The Victorian Chamber of Commerce and Industry welcomes the Victorian Government announcement to replace stamp duty for commercial and industrial properties with an annual property tax.

WorkCover changes announced today will see premiums increase by more than 40 per cent, changes to mental health eligibility and the creation of a new pilot program for impacted workers.

Today’s State Government announcement of a 42 per cent increase in WorkCover premiums to 1.8 per cent makes our scheme the most expensive in the country and is yet another increase to the cost of doing business in Victoria.

As business awaits next week’s State Budget, the latest feedback from our members is that regained confidence post-pandemic has waned in the face of tough economic conditions.

The Victorian Chamber’s third Business Voice trend survey has revealed a drop in confidence concerning business’ revenue growth with almost one-third of businesses responding that they are less likely to recruit new staff, compared to one in four just six months ago.

Victorian businesses are bracing themselves for lower revenue growth and slowing staff recruitment in the coming months as the cost-of-living crisis hits, the latest Victorian Chamber of Commerce and Industry survey reveals.

Solar power is now more accessible for small and medium businesses through measures announced in the 2023/24 Federal Budget combined with Victorian incentives.

The Victorian Chamber of Commerce and Industry is delighted to have been named as one of four finalists in the 13th World Chambers Congress (WCC) 2023 Competition in the Best Gender Equity Project category for our Chamber Change program.

The Victorian Chamber’s flagship women-in-business program, Chamber Change, has been recognised as a gender equity leader, nominated as one of four finalists in the Best Gender Equity Project in the World Chambers Competition.

We have one hot off the press today! We are incredibly proud to announce that the Victorian Chamber of Commerce and Industry has been named as one of four finalists in the 13th World Chambers Congress (WCC) 2023 Competition in the Best Gender Equity Project category for our Chamber Change (Women in Business) program.

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.

Australia’s systems of managing visas, permanent residency, skilled migration and international students are set for an overhaul after a report deemed it was “not fit for purpose”.

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.