On Tuesday we had the privilege of partnering with the Herald Sun to host our second annual “Future Victoria” lunch at Crown Melbourne’s spectacular Aviary event space.

Our postcodes are as likely to affect our life expectancy as much as our genetic code, meaning planning for Victoria’s future must consider our health and wellbeing needs, the Future Victoria event has heard.

The Victorian Chamber is supporting regional Victoria through the State Government’s Business Groups Flood Recovery Grant. 

It was wonderful to start the week with a call from our new Victorian Premier, Jacinta Allan bright and early at 8.15am.

With a new Premier and Deputy, it’s a new dawn in Victoria. The business community is ready to play our part for the future we all aspire to. 

I want to extend my congratulations to Victoria’s new Premier, Jacinta Allan and Deputy Premier Ben Carroll. Their appointment is fantastic news for the business community, and we have longstanding and productive relationships with both. I am delighted that they will be tasked with taking our State forward. I know they are both up for the challenge and I know they both are acutely aware of what business – all of you – contribute to our great State.

Some of you will have been involved in our Housing Taskforce, which is nearing completion. On Tuesday I had an opinion piece published in the Herald Sun which highlights what we have heard during the extensive consultation.

I'm excited to provide a short preview of an upcoming report that we believe will greatly benefit our members. Our Housing Taskforce has been diligently working on a comprehensive document to help address the housing challenges faced by our community.

On Monday afternoon, Federal Workplace Relations Minister Tony Burke introduced the Government’s “Closing the Loopholes” Fair Work Act Amendment Bill, which proposes significant changes to our industrial relations landscape.

I was incredibly proud today as our President Adrian Kloeden hosted a lunch to celebrate the Victorian Chamber’s 25 years of involvement in supporting Apprenticeships in Victoria. It was an honour to be joined by so many members and esteemed guests at Crown Melbourne for Apprenticeship Support Australia’s (ASA) 25-year celebration luncheon, including our guest speaker, the Hon Brendan O’Connor MP, Federal Minister for Skills and Training.

I’m coming to you this week from beautiful Bendigo, where today we hosted one of our important Regional Roundtables. Hearing directly from business and industry is the best way for us to really get to the heart of our members’ concerns and challenges.

With a vision to make Victoria the best place for businesses to start, grow and thrive, the Victorian Chamber wants to hear your goals and the support you need to achieve them.

The City of Melbourne’s Small Business Grants Program will return for the first time since 2019, providing grants of up to $20,000 to support innovation and expansion. 

The latest CBD occupancy survey by the Victorian Chamber of Commerce and Industry finds the office continues to play a vital role in our professional lives but employers are accepting flexible arrangements and work-life balance.

We are gearing up for our highly-anticipated Victorian Chamber Presents: Victoria – the home of innovation event next week. Political and industry leaders, entrepreneurs and visionaries will come together to reveal future trends and explore strategies to foster innovation in the business landscape.

Prosperity in Victoria’s regions relies on equity and opportunity, Victorian Chamber Chief Executive Paul Guerra has told The Herald Sun Bush Summit 2023.