You would be aware the Nike Melbourne Marathon Festival took place on Sunday, with over 40,000 participants raising more than $1.5 million for charity. I am proud to report that the Victorian Chamber had a dedicated team of athletes, from the 5km run to the full marathon. In a late decision, due to an illness with one of our registered team members, I joined in the 5km run, and can report it was a fantastic experience. And my hamstrings are almost back to normal!

The Victorian and Federal Governments have signed a five-year National Skills Agreement (NSA) for national cooperation and strategic investment into Victoria’s vocational education and training (VET) sector.

An employee has lost an unfair dismissal case after she was terminated for serious misconduct when an employer investigation found she left the worksite early 17 times during a six-week period.

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.

Analysis of skills shortages in Australia shows that 36 per cent of assessed occupations (332 out of 916) were in national shortage in 2023, five per cent higher than the year before.

A recent Fair Work Commission (FWC) case has illustrated the importance of having clear and accessible policies to address employee performance and conduct issues.

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

Wage Inspectorate Victoria reminds employers to be aware of Victoria’s updated child employment obligations after it ran a compliance campaign over the school holidays.

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

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) is urging businesses to review their standard form contracts and remove or change any unfair terms before new penalties take effect.

An employee’s unfair dismissal claim has been rejected after they were dismissed for working from home without their employer’s authorisation.

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.

A Victorian Chamber webinar will help explain the High Court's Qantas v Transport Workers Union (TWU) decision and its implications on the industrial relations system.

The Australian Government has released an employment White Paper that provides a roadmap of actions being taken, and further reform required, to support the Australian labour market into the future.

The Victorian Chamber has released a first-of-its-kind Cyber Security and Scams Policy Position with 24 pragmatic recommendations to protect small, medium and family businesses from cyber criminals, in a comprehensive cyber suite that includes a Security Checklist and Self-Paced Training for businesses.