We’ve advocated to the State Government to establish a coherent plan that addresses short, medium, and long-term priorities in Victoria’s transition to achieving a net-zero economy in our `Achieving a Net-Zero Economy: Roadmap for Victorian Businesses’. I met with Minister D’Ambrosio to discuss this further, and the Minister has agreed to engage directly with our members at an event we will announce shortly.

We are also getting closer to releasing our Federal and State Budget Submissions, which have been formed through extensive member engagement to ensure we focus on creating better conditions for businesses.

All our work is designed to ensure that Victorian businesses are positioned as well as they can be, with the support of the State, so they can trade effectively, contribute to Victoria’s economic growth, and encourage investment across the state which leads to more jobs and more spending.

And it’s through your continued support that we’re able to achieve effective outcomes.

On that note, I encourage you to complete our first Business Voice Survey for 2023 to help us understand the Victorian business environment. This month’s edition includes additional sections on areas of high relevance including high energy costs, energy supply and the transition to net-zero economy. Help us determine how we can best provide and advocate for you on these issues by filling out the survey here.

I’m looking forward to our upcoming special breakfast event, Why ESG is Good Business. As well as our keynote speaker, Bea Boccalandro, we have secured a diverse panel of experts who represent a broad range of industry sectors. Thank you to Michael Hardwick, CFO of Cotton On; Justine Felton, Group Social Sustainability Manager for Stockland; Sally Curtain, CEO of Bendigo Kangan Institute; and Jim Antonopoulos, Managing Director of Tank, for committing your time and expertise. I hope to see as many members as possible at our event, and tickets can be booked here.

It’s been a pleasure to host the Commonwealth Enterprise and Investment Council Envoy for Australasia and the Pacific Samantha Cohen CVO out from the UK this week to strengthen trade links between Victoria and Commonwealth nations in the lead up to the 2026 Commonwealth Games.

Together with Sam, we hosted a series of meetings with senior leaders across the State, including our Deputy Premier Jacinta Allan. We have a real opportunity to link businesses across the Commonwealth to further Trade and Investment opportunities for Victorian business. We also briefed Sam on our Chamber Change (Women in Business) program, when we kicked off session one of Program Two this week.

Scott Veenker also hosted a cocktail function for our Melbourne Chamber of Commerce (MCC) members this week, and it was another great evening. The first official function for our MCC members this week was well attended, and it was great to see so many of our members there.

Victorian businesses are known for their generosity in times of need, and it was on show again today when I joined Crown Resorts Chief Executive Ciarán Carruthers as he announced a $100,000 donation for victims of the earthquakes in Türkiye and Syria.

We’ve all been moved by the disaster that’s unfolded and Crown Resorts’ donation will be divided between two earthquake support programs for Türkiye and Syria: Red Crescent International and UNICEF.

The Victorian Chamber is also proud to support our friends in Ukraine and received a briefing from Ukrainian Ambassador to Australia and New Zealand Vasyl Myroshnychenko, Iryna and Nina on the Zelenska Foundation’s Room for Childhood project.

This a great way that our members can help and protect the children of Ukraine. You can support Room for Childhood’s efforts in providing housing and care to children without parents by donating today. Find more information here: https://zelenskafoundation.org/en

Have a great rest of the week.