The Victorian Chamber in conjunction with Business NSW has been advocating strongly for the lifting of restrictions, in particular mandatory masks for hospitality, retail and personal services workers and an end to the close contact isolation requirements. 

Under the changes, from 11.59pm on Friday close contacts will be able to go to work if their daily Rapid Antigen Test is negative and they are not experiencing symptoms. Businesses will also no longer be required to check the vaccination status of customers. 

These are bold but necessary steps by the State Government and will help ease the burden for thousands of businesses which have been dealing with staff shortages. The handbrake is off, the light is green and we are ready to accelerate into our post-pandemic recovery. 

We need every available person in the workforce to boost our productivity and improve our prospects for recovery from the pandemic and that includes our defence force workers who are largely highly skilled and have sacrificed part of their working lives to keep our country safe. 

That’s why we have been vocal in our support of the Victorian Government’s $20,000 wage subsidy for employers to hire veterans through the Jobs Victoria Fund. As we approach Anzac Day, I encourage you to share this resource across your organisation and consider how you could find a place for our talented veterans. 

It’s been fantastic to see so many Victorians enjoying the Easter long weekend and school holidays. Our magnificent regions have benefited from visitor numbers not seen since before the pandemic started as we took advantage of some brilliant autumn weather. 

Many of these businesses have done it really tough over the past two years as lockdowns restricted travel and it’s heartening to see so many people supporting our economy and enjoying all Victoria has to offer. 

In more good news for Victoria, the State Government also announced today that two of world’s football powerhouses - Argentina and Brazil - will play at the MCG on June 11. This follows news that English Premier League giant Manchester United will Crystal Palace and Melbourne Victory in Melbourne on July 15 and 19. Another day, another major event in this State and its full credit to the State and the team at Visit Victoria. It’s simply brilliant! 

We are fortunate to have both the Victorian Treasurer Tim Pallas and Federal Treasurer Josh Frydenberg as special guests at two important upcoming Victorian Chamber events. On Wednesday May 4, Treasurer Pallas will speak at our State Budget Lunch about what the Budget means for Victorian business.

On Friday May 6 Treasurer Frydenberg will speak at the Victorian Chamber’s Federal Election Breakfast on how the Coalition’s economic plan will support small business and ensure Australia’s economic recovery continues to lead the world.  

This exclusive breakfast will provide the opportunity for you to engage with the Treasurer and ask your questions ahead of the Federal Election. Tickets will go on sale later this week and both events will be in high demand so make sure you book your tickets to avoid missing out. 

For the second week in a row, we get the chance to enjoy a long weekend with Anzac Day falling next Monday April 25. It’s another chance to enjoy time with family and friends but also commemorate this important day for Australia. We are blessed to live in a great country and state and this is in no small part due to the enormous sacrifices made by so many people.  

And as we look ahead to next week, some of you may have seen that I will be delivering a keynote address to the Melbourne Press Club next Thursday May 28 focusing on the future of business as we recover from COVID-19 and the challenges and opportunities ahead. I would love to see you there if you can make it. 

Enjoy your week ahead.