The traditional Anzac Day AFL blockbuster between Essendon and Collingwood in front of a record crowd was a nail-biter, despite the disappointing outcome for Bombers fans. And I know many of you also took the opportunity to take time out in Regional Victoria, and the perfect autumn conditions made the prospect of an extra-long weekend or a day trip even more attractive.

All the way through the spell of short weeks, we have been continuing our support of business! We have presented our priorities to several federal government parliamentary inquiries over the past week: the inquiry into Workforce Australia Employment Services, and the inquiry into the post COVID-19 recovery of Australia’s tourism and international education sectors over the past week.

We provided 35 recommendations to the Joint Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade addressing some of the key challenges and opportunities for growth in Australia’s tourism and international education sectors and 14 recommendations to the Select Committee on Workforce Australia Employment Services for the first principles review into the employment services system. Hopefully we will be able to share some positive outcomes from our work in these areas soon.

We now focus our attention on the upcoming Federal Budget, which Treasurer Jim Chalmers will hand down on the evening of Tuesday 9 May, followed by Victorian Treasurer Tim Pallas presenting the State Budget on 23 May. The Chamber lodged submissions with both levels of government in February and we continue to engage with Ministers to ensure they are well briefed on the priorities for business.

We are looking to government to facilitate growth and provide business with the best conditions so they can do what they do best: creating value and jobs for the economy, while continuing to be the heart of the community. Business-friendly conditions will drive growth, create jobs and ensure a strong and sustained recovery that benefits the entire community.

In that vein, the Minister for the State Electricity Commission (SEC), the Hon. Lily D ’Ambrosio MP, this morning announced the SEC Pioneer Investment Mandate. The SEC will initially invest $1 billion towards delivering 4.5 gigawatts of power through new build renewable energy generation and storage projects.

A search will commence on 2 May 2023 for its pioneer investment in new renewable energy generation and storage projects. The market search process for investment includes a Registration of Interest (ROI) from market participants to identify suitable renewable energy generation and storage projects across Victoria. You will be able to find more information when the ROI opens.

Chambers from across the world will be heading to Switzerland in a couple of months’ time for the 13^th World Chambers Congress in Geneva from 21-23 June. It will be a valuable opportunity ahead of hosting the next one in Melbourne in 2025 to gain insights into how we can plan and shape a valuable, relevant and educational program for all participants of the world’s largest economic forum for chambers and businesses.

This year’s theme, ‘Achieving peace and prosperity through multilateralism’ is highly relevant in navigating our world today as all participants aim to help transform the future of business through achieving peaceful cooperation among nations. If you’re planning on attending this year’s event, please let us know – it would be wonderful to see a local contingent while we’re there to officially accept the rights for the 14^th World Chambers Congress in Melbourne.

As we near the end of the financial year, it might also be an opportunity to review your staff development plans and training needs. If you need any assistance, please contact our Training team via the website or directly at onsitetraining@vicotorianchamber.com.au, as we have courses that you might well find suitable.

Enjoy the last lingering rays of warmth and sunshine that have punctuated the end of the school holidays and have a wonderful and safe week.