Victorian Treasurer Tim Pallas handed down the State Budget on Tuesday afternoon and I’m sure many of you went straight to how it would impact your business, positive or negative.

The .au domain has recently been recognised as one of the most popular and trusted domains globally, despite Australia’s relatively small population.

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 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.

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.

Privacy Awareness Week (1 to 7 May 2023) is a global campaign that highlights the importance of online privacy and protecting all personal information.

Pitcher Partners Business Radar report has shown that business leaders may overestimate their organisation’s preparedness for a cyber-attack or data breach, potentially leading to underestimation of the risks they face.

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.

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.

Fast-track nomination is now available in Victoria for skilled visa candidates with an eligible health, teaching or social services occupation who meet the minimum visa requirements.

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 Skilled Work Regional Visa (subclass 491) has expanded to include Metropolitan Melbourne applicants.

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.

Two thirds of the world’s growth is predicted to come from Asia over the next decade, and efforts are being made to prepare Australia to achieve long-term financial and strategic outcomes in the region.