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.

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.

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 fundamentals of defence, skills and the transition to a net-zero economy are clear winners in an otherwise modest 2023-2024 Federal Budget that focuses on cost-of-living relief.

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.

The 2023-24 Federal Budget will allocate $314 million towards a new energy program aimed at lowering business power bills and emissions.

Increased cost of living is the number one issue facing many Australians today. It’s also likely affecting the emotional and financial wellbeing of your employees.

There has been a real shift over the past few weeks which should not be mistaken for the encroaching chill of our impending winter.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Having come straight from the Albert Park track this morning from the Victorian Chamber and Keolis Downer Grand Prix™ Breakfast, I can tell you that Melbourne is certainly in for a treat this weekend!

The Australian Taxation Office (ATO) has released final guidance on how employees may choose to calculate their work from home deductions for this financial year.

How good is it to have the AFL back? Four action packed days and evenings resulted in some nail-biting results for round one, and I have to say, the ladder is looking spectacular to this Essendon supporter!