If you’ve read my op-ed in today’s Herald Sun, you’ll know there’s no cushioning the fact that the scheme is in trouble, and without firm, fast change, we are at risk of losing it entirely.

Threatening business with increased premiums will shatter business confidence to invest in Victoria. Rather than taking the proverbial baseball bat to business by further increasing WorkCover premiums, we urge the Government and Opposition to come together and forge forward to support business growth in Victoria.

We need a well-administered and sustainable system that limits any required premium increases to realistic and minimal levels (in line with CPI, for example). Logic dictates that businesses that invest in prevention and minimise claims should be rewarded with lower premiums too. There are further opportunities to administer the scheme more effectively and efficiently beyond that, and we strive for progress before the parliamentary break. Read more from my op-ed here.

There has been significant attention on cybersecurity in the lead-up to the Federal Government’s new 2023-2030 Australian Cyber Security Strategy to be unveiled soon by Home Affairs Minister Clare O’Neil. Our team stands ready to unpack the details as they come through, and we anticipate that the Victorian Chamber has played a pivotal role in shaping aspects of the strategy, with many details already aligning with our recently released Cyber Security and Scams Policy position.

This includes advocating for the establishment of industry-led cyber health clinics, aiming to enhance local business cybersecurity with face-to-face solutions. Additionally, we championed the adoption of “Secure by Default” as the industry standard for digital devices, software and apps, reinforcing a proactive cybersecurity approach. And we also know that the strategy involves classifying telecommunications providers as “critical infrastructure” to elevate their cybersecurity standards.

Updates on these developments will be available on our website and social media channels soon.

The Australian Signals Directorate’s Australian Cyber Security Centre (ASD’s ACSC) released its ASD Cyber Threat Report: July 2022 to June 2023 in an industry briefing on Tuesday, which The Chamber’s Executive Director Information, Communication and Technology (ICT) Glenn Goodwin attended. The report details the latest cyber threats affecting Australia, how ASD is responding, and advice on how everyone, including businesses, can protect themselves against cyber threats.

You can read more about the findings of the report here, as well as find some practical advice to help prevent and protect your business, including our Small Business Cyber Security Checklist – free for all members - to help review your cyber defences.

This week, we released the results of our comprehensive Business Pulse survey, offering insights into the aspirations and challenges of businesses in the current economic climate. The findings reaffirm the Victorian Chamber as the trusted voice of business in Victoria. We are committed to maintaining this trust and encourage you to explore the detailed results on our website.

Moving forward, our Industrial Relations Policy Roundtable on November 22 will address the Fair Work Legislation Amendment (Secure Jobs, Better Pay) Act 2022. Led by Amy Bell, our General Manager of Workplace Relations and Wellbeing, this event will provide updates on the IR agenda and policy commitments, providing clarity on its implications for your business. It’s a valuable opportunity to discuss the implications for your business and staffing strategy. Register online here – it’s free for all.

The Chamber Change program for women in business is accepting expressions of interest for Programs Five and Six next year. It’s gratifying to witness the program’s success in bringing professional women together for growth, leadership and opportunities. Details are available online, and participation requires current membership.

As the year draws to a close, we have a few more exciting events lined up, including our AFLW Grand Final lunch, and our final event, which focuses on an inspirational female leader and we are delighted to have the company of former Governor Linda Dessau. It will be a brilliant opportunity to hear from one of our states most inspiring leaders. Secure your seats online and keep an eye on our events page for more networking opportunities in 2023.

I want to take a moment to thank Fire Rescue Victoria for an unbelievable day with them on Monday where I, along with a group of other business leaders, took part in their Operational Training program. We completed a series of simulations and training exercises at the FRV Training Academy in Craigieburn, which replicated real-life situations drawn from actual emergency incidents and experiences in both residential and industrial settings.

We all gained an understanding of the training, skills, knowledge and qualifications required by all operational firefighters to deliver best practice, capability and response to ensure the safety of all Victorians and I can’t emphasise enough how much my respect and admiration for each and every firefighter and volunteer has grown! It was an incredible experience that you can see part of here, and I would encourage each and every one of you to give it a go yourself. For more information, head to frv.vic.gov.au

On behalf of the Chamber, I’d like to congratulate our former President, Mark Birrell AM, who was today elected as President of the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and Mr Lyall Gorman as Deputy President. Mark’s extensive experience in business, law and finance and across his various leadership roles ensures that ACCI is in excellent hands and I look forward to working closely with him and the rest of the ACCI team moving forward.Finally, I am thrilled to announce that we have released our first episode for season two of our Business Voice podcast – Victoria, the events capital of the world. This season will see a mix of dissecting an array of business-related topics with my co-host Mikkayla Mossop, and interviews with influential Australian business leaders and identities. I’m already excited about next week’s episode with Eddie McGuire! You can listen here, and I hope you enjoy.

Have a safe and wonderful weekend.