Victorians have, for the second time, quashed an outbreak and run down the Delta variant with businesses making enormous sacrifices for the health of our community. The Victorian Chamber is particularly pleased with the higher caps for hospitality than the last lockdown exit, masks being able to come off for beauty treatments and gyms and community sport open which is so important for Victorians’ mental and physical health.  

Events will have to wait longer, and that’s going to further delay the recovery of a sector that has done it so hard over the last 15 months. But, as the case numbers drop, we need to see all restrictions removed quickly. As we snap into lockdowns, we need to snap out, and we’ve seen signs of that in the State Government announcement yesterday.  

What we need to see now is financial support for businesses to restart. Businesses have been in lockdown or heavy restrictions for more than half of the past 12 months and while we acknowledge the State and Federal Government support provided to date, I started conversations with government last week around the need for further funds to purchase stock, pay the rent that is now due and other costs that occur in a business. We want your business to make it through.  

I know for many of you the financial reserves are gone and the emotional reserves are gone. We want businesses to see a brighter future and that’s why financial support is so important right now. The Victorian Chamber expects our advocacy to be instrumental in informing an expanded support package to be announced in the next day or so.  

As I’ve mentioned before, vaccination is our key to ending this pandemic. Our valued member Victorian Council of Social Service (VCOSS) launched a ‘Back to The Good Things’ campaign this week and I highly encourage you to watch this short video and share it with your networks. Congratulations to Emma King and the team at VCOSS on your tremendous leadership on this important issue. I certainly want to get back to normal and I am sure you do too! You might also be interested in this article I wrote for the Herald Sun which appeared last Thursday.  

And just before I finish, how is that the Olympics can make us feel so much national pride? Maybe there is a way we can harness that for the future here. In any case, I’m sure, like me, you are taking the opportunity to encourage home every athlete and their coaching and support staff. I have to say I love a gold medal, but I do love seeing people mark a personal best even more.  

Finally, it was just fabulous to see Queensland secure the Olympics for 2032. All eyes for us are on securing the Rugby World Cup in 2027. It will be a big decade for Australians and sport if it comes off!  

Victorian Chamber Events  

Considering the State Government’s lifting of restrictions and the focus for business on restarting, we have decided to postpone the first week of our Victorian Chamber Business Recovery Regional Roadshow. We will now kick off in Traralgon on Tuesday 10 August. Stay tuned for our events newsletter on Thursday for more details on the roadshow and other events impacted.  

Enjoy your week – and let’s get back to business!  

Regards,  
Paul.