The Victorian Chamber’s return to office survey released today shows that more than four out of five CBD based employees are spending at least two days a week back in the office. What’s really pleasing is the reasons they are coming back.

As well as restrictions being lifted and the warmer weather, they have indicated that they want to reconnect with colleagues and clients in person and enjoy all that Melbourne’s CBD has to offer, including our iconic events and hospitality sectors.

It’s a sure sign that confidence is returning and provides another welcome boost for business after a challenging few years. Indeed, 2022 was the year Victoria started to bounce back and we could finally look ahead with some optimism and certainty.

We left our home offices and reconnected with each other in person. Here at the Chamber, we delivered more than 100 events for members and clients and these provided fantastic opportunities to build our knowledge, skills and networks. I can’t express in words how good it felt to be among you enjoying the pleasure of each other’s company.

Victoria’s major events also rebounded: the Formula 1 Grand Prix, AFL Grand Final, Melbourne Cup, Hamilton and Billy Joel to name just a few. And yes, I particularly loved the Piano Man! We secured the Commonwealth Games for 2026 and we travelled to our beautiful regions once again. We hosted delegates from 15 nations at the CACCI conference and look forward to many more business events to attract global players.

We have grown our membership and client base, expanded our services and been an influential voice for business across Victoria. Our work with both the State and Federal Governments continues to produce strong outcomes for business through a range of programs, particularly Apprenticeship Support Australia which provides vital opportunities for young people.

We have ensured we are always listening to members and using that intelligence to form our position and advocacy. This was particularly evident during the extensive consultation process we undertook with businesses across the Victoria to build our State Election Platform, Powering Victoria’s Future.

The platform provided 61 recommendations to strengthen Victoria’s jobs and skills, build the best to operate a business, drive Victoria’s economy and grow Regional Victoria. We are pleased the Victorian Government has committed to more than a third of these recommendations and we look forward to working closely with them to implement these reforms to advance business.

As I said at our Women in Business event with entrepreneur Jessica Sepel last week, I’m also proud of our new women in business program, Chamber Change, which kicked off this year. Through our female role models, we will help support, encourage and develop more female leaders and strengthen the business community. Our commitment to females started with our team and there is a very clear correlation between our 65% women representation on my Executive Team and the drive behind the Chamber Change program.

However, 2022 hasn’t been without significant challenges. We had to continue to manage COVID-19 outbreaks, and many businesses, particularly across Regional Victoria, were affected by the recent floods. Worsening global and domestic economic conditions will continue to put pressures on businesses as we head into 2023.

But yet again business has shown extraordinary resilience and an ability adapt to whatever challenges put in front of it. That’s why we will continue to put members and clients at the centre of everything we do. Without you, there is no Chamber, and we remain strongly committed to working hard on your behalf to ensure Victoria is the best state to own and operate a business.

The Victorian Chamber’s work will continue as we tackle critical issues like our skills and workers shortages, supply chain disruptions, high taxes and regulatory burdens on business, the revitalisation of Melbourne’s CBD and ensuring we can grow our regions by providing them the services and opportunities they deserve.

I want to thank all of our hard working and passionate team at the Chamber, from my Executive Team and beyond, as well as our Board and Executive Council who provide such fantastic support to our 65,000 members and clients right across Victoria.

Finally, a big thank you to all of our members and clients for your ongoing support of the Chamber. We are here to help and support you, and without your membership fees, utilisation of our services and sponsorship, we simply won’t exist at the level we do. As always, if you do get a chance over the Christmas period, we would really love you championing more businesses to be part of our community.

Businesses are the heart of Victoria’s communities and I remain convinced there is still no better place to be than here in Victoria.

Enjoy a happy and safe festive season with your families and friends. For those who celebrate Christmas please enjoy it. And I wish you all the best for a fabulous 2023 and we look forward to seeing you again in the new year.