During these difficult times, the Victorian Chamber will do its utmost to represent you, your businesses and your concerns, and will continue to advocate on your behalf to ensure much-needed support is accessible.

We are pleased to have contributed to shaping the Victorian Government’s COVID-19 Business Support Fund, set to help impacted employing businesses within metropolitan Melbourne and regional Victoria.

With grants of $5,000 for 24,000 eligible businesses already distributed, the new measures mean qualifying businesses from metropolitan Melbourne and Mitchell Shire that have received or applied for the initial grant, will also be eligible for an additional $5,000 that will be processed automatically.

The extension means businesses that meet the criteria within these areas may receive a total of $20,000 through the Fund, while regional businesses may receive $15,000.

The Chamber acknowledges these grants do not meet every member’s needs or provide help to every business that is struggling. We will continue to work with Government on more ways that businesses can receive the support they require.

Employees were also recognised yesterday, with the Premier announcing an increase to the COVID-19 Test Isolation Payment to $450 across the state. The payment is accessible for workers that have been tested for COVID-19 and are awaiting results - and ensures that no employee is forced to choose between an income or doing the right thing and staying home if tested. We urge members to make sure that staff are not attending work if there’s a risk of infection and to access the Government assistance available.

Drawing on some of my own personal experience and member feedback, this week the Victorian Chamber called on the Andrews Government to provide more transparent coronavirus testing and timelines as employers struggle with delays.

While we acknowledge the high volume of work and pressure the Government and its health department are under, businesses reporting that they have had to wait up to five days for test results is alarming. The longer the delay, the more likely it is that the virus is being spread.

We have asked the State Government to explain its targets for testing and tracing and to reveal if it is meeting them, so that businesses have reassurance that everything possible is being done.

Just as business owners track key performance measures to ensure the outcome is right, we want to know what measures are being put in place to give us confidence we won’t be back here after these gruelling six weeks.

We stand by the Government in supporting them to assist businesses, and the overwhelming response from our members is that they have full confidence in the Premier to lead us out of this second wave.

The Chamber is encouraged to see both the Victorian and Commonwealth Governments fund new Infection Control Training to upskill Victorian workers to administer and implement infection control policies and procedures within workplaces. Victorian TAFEs and RTOs will deliver the free, short, accredited training course, to help staff in critical industries identify and manage the ongoing risks of COVID-19, and ensure workers are ready to safely reopen and engage with customers when the time comes. Find out more information.

On behalf of myself and the Victorian Chamber team, we understand the frustration, uncertainty and heartache that Victorians are experiencing right now – but we assure you that we are here to support you through the difficult remaining weeks of the lockdown, and beyond.

I wish you all a safe and good week ahead.

Victorian Chamber presents: The Business of Footy webinar event

Join us on Thursday 20 August for our upcoming webinar event, Victorian Chamber presents The Business of Footy. Hear from three successful, high-profile Australian Football League (AFL) Executives: Chief Financial Officer and General Manager of Clubs and Broadcasting, Travis Auld; General Manager - Football Operations, Steve Hocking; and General Manager - Commercial, Kylie Rogers.

Travis, Steve and Kylie will share with us how the AFL has managed the challenges and changes during the Covid-19 crisis, and how they are continuing to adapt the business and reanimate the game.

Find out more information and register today.

Hospitality Business Grant program

We’ve worked extensively with the Victorian Government to ensure our hard-hit hospitality sector is backed. We were delighted to see our input reflected in the Government’s recently launched $30 million Hospitality Business Grant program.

The program provides targeted assistance to eligible food services businesses that have been impacted by the current restrictions and have experienced a long and sustained shock to their trading environment. Further details about the program can be found via the Business Victoria website.

Reminder:

If you know of a business that is not already a member, please encourage them to take advantage of our 12-month membership waiver for any new entry level membership.