Our new Premier will have a different style and approach, as every leader does, and we are certainly looking forward to working with her in a transparent and productive way. There are challenges ahead, and the fresh start may help us navigate our way through even more effectively.

The Chamber prides itself on presenting solutions: I am immensely proud of the work and collaborative effort that has gone into the Victorian Chamber’s first Cyber Security and Scams Policy, which we launched on Tuesday.

It lists game-changing steps that Australia should implement to achieve the Federal Government’s ambition of becoming the most cyber secure nation by 2030. As I told Peter Stefanovic on Tuesday’s Sky News First Edition, if we want to help achieve this goal, we are going to need help and we need to ensure business’ needs are met in order to do so.

Our Policy provides 24 recommendations, or ‘game-changers’, advocating for the Government to implement bold cyber policies, educational institutions to develop cyber security apprenticeships with extensive practical work experience, financial institutions to invest in more secure technologies and digital devices and software to be secure by default.

It is incumbent upon governments and businesses to not only adopt but champion these cyber security principles. We have engaged extensively with governments, businesses, and stakeholders and are optimistic that our Policy translates into concrete actions that make it easier for small, medium and family businesses to turbo charge their cyber security.

I would like to acknowledge Senior Policy and Advocacy Adviser Nicole McLean for her leadership, the Chamber’s Executive Director - Information, Communication and Technology, Glenn Goodwin, and his team for their expertise and guidance, and to Melbourne Chamber member Westpac, who were also engaged in the process.

Find more details and download our Cyber Security and Scams Policy Position here.

It was wonderful to see so many members at our annual Victorian Chamber Pitcher Partners Grand Final Lunch on Wednesday, held in the MCG’s iconic Olympic Room. With a record turnout of more than 530 guests, attendees enjoyed hearing MC Hamish McLachlan chat with outgoing CEO Gillon McLachlan and incoming CEO Andrew Dillon, as well as enjoying the genius of Herald Sun cartoonist Mark Knight and singing along with the iconic Mike Brady.

Gillon has been an oustanding leader, and the words “Footy Will Find A Way” will be part of his lasting legacy. Those words spoke of hope at a time when the community needed it, and Gillon was able to deliver because of the foundations he had set with his ability to develop extensive partnerships. We wish both Gillon and his wife, Laura, all the best for the future.

We are looking forward to seeing the game progress under Andrew’s leadership and he already has a wonderful platform and a wave of support behind him. I know that VCCI and the business community want him to be successful. I also know that Andrew has the right skills, the right intellect, the right personality and the right personal values for the next phase of the AFL.

This morning I was at the University of Melbourne with Dr. Colin Mcleod, Professor and Executive Director Melbourne Entrepreneurial Centre, where he hosted Professor George Foster for a seminar. George is the Konosuke Matsushita Professor of Management at Stanford University in Silicon Valley, California. He has led the MBA course on New Ventures for more than 15 years and it has been one of the most popular subjects on the Stanford MBA program.

It was a fascinating conversation around the high and low moments that founders and investors encounter at various stages in the arc of their new ventures. It was a full room that included Vice Chancellors Fellow, Jaala Pulford, and North Melbourne Senior Coach, Alistair Clarkson. There is so much insight that George can provide to all organisations in our State.

For Jeff Browne, Craig Kelly and Eddie McGuire, I do hope Collingwood get the win, but ultimately all of Victoria will emerge a winner this weekend, regardless of Saturday’s outcome. It’s going to be a magic day, with brilliant sunshine for the long weekend with school holidays in full swing, and there is plenty of feedback coming from the regions reporting bustling businesses, cafes and restaurants from families and friends traversing the State. It is wonderful to see the city so busy, and thousands making their way to the Showgrounds to enjoy all the Melbourne Royal Show has to offer.

I’m looking forward to a busy day tomorrow, starting with participating in the National Police Remembrance Day March. As a Blue-Ribbon Foundation Board member, I encourage everyone to pause tomorrow, and reflect and remember those Victoria Police members who have lost their lives while serving the community. For those interested, the step-off and parade is starting at 10am from the Princes Bridge, St Kilda Road and move to the Victoria Policy Memorial at Kings Domain, followed by a service.

I’ll also hopefully be able to catch the end of the end of the 2023 Toyota AFL Grand Final Parade as it comes to its conclusion as the motorcade travels from Melbourne Park Live Site through Birrarung Maar, into the Footy Festival at Yarra Park and finishing up at Gate 3 of the MCG!

I’d like to take a moment to congratulate Henry Byrne on his appointment as Chief Financial Officer for our Melbourne Chamber member, the Transurban Group, who will be replacing the current CFO and incoming Chief Executive Officer, Michelle Jablko. It’s wonderful to see companies creating pathways and development opportunities for employees, as exemplified by the elevation of these two impressive individuals!

Finally, I want to extend my thanks to Former Premier Daniel Andrews for his dedicated service to the State of Victoria over the past nine years. The Victorian Chamber acknowledges his commitment to our great State, particularly during unprecedented times, and we wish him and his family all the best for the future.

However you choose to spend this weekend, I hope you have a fun and safe time. Good luck to all you Brisbane and Collingwood supporters and may the best team on the day win! And don’t forget to adjust your clocks for daylight savings on Sunday morning.