Our 20 Chamber Change Champions joined our in-house Victorian Chamber experts to share their motivation for joining the program and what they hope to achieve. The expression of interest process for participation in program one has concluded and the Chamber Change Team has notified participants of their place.

The objective of Chamber Change is to empower women in business and help set them up for success. While the program is just getting started, I can’t wait to see it grow and evolve as even more women across business become involved. You can find out more about the program and how to get involved here.

It’s been fantastic to get out to Regional Victoria in recent weeks as we continue to engage with members and local business communities. Last week I visited Traralgon where I met with more than 40 business owners, employees, Local Government representatives and other key stakeholders to discuss the challenges and opportunities for business across Gippsland.

These Regional Roundtable meetings will help inform our policy platform for November’s State Election and ensure we are advocating on the issues that are important to you. I’m looking forward to my upcoming visit to Colac on August 9, followed by Warrnambool on August 10, and then Mildura on August 18.

This week’s fourth hike in official interest rates in as many months has reinforced the ongoing economic challenges facing us all. Despite this, it’s encouraging to see Victorian business continuing to invest in the state. This morning I was fortunate to attend the opening of Melbourne Chamber of Commerce member SCT Logistics’ new freight facility in Altona.

Not only will the new facility cut transport costs for businesses, it will also enhance the efficiency of the system, create more jobs and take trucks off suburban roads, easing congestion. And the project was completed despite the challenges facing business over the past two years. It’s this sort of resilience and vision that typifies Victorian business and will continue to stand us in good stead.

It was welcome news that health authorities are reporting Victoria’s winter COVID-19 surge has peaked, and other winter-induced infection rates are also plateauing. It has been a long, tough winter and with a month to go we can start looking forward to longer days, warmer weather and easier conditions for us all.

I recently spoke with 3AW’s Neil Mitchell about six key steps the federal government could implement now in order to ease worker shortages and give the economy a lift in the short term, and I look forward to presenting this plan to all levels of government ahead of the Jobs and Skills Summit in September.

Make sure you don’t miss our forthcoming Business After Dark event which is always a favourite with members and a great opportunity network over premium drinks and canapes. Our next one is being held on the evening of August 9 at the Immigration Museum and tickets are selling fast, so secure yours here.

Enjoy the rest of the week.