The Victorian Government is undertaking an Inquiry into the Victorian on-demand workforce which will investigate the extent of the on-demand sector and the status of people working with or for online companies or platforms in Victoria.

The Victorian Chamber is looking for businesses to meet with former Fair Work Ombudsman Natalie James, who is chairing the inquiry, to take part in business roundtable discussions and share their experiences. The inquiry will also examine contracting arrangements and whether these are being used to avoid workplace laws and other statutory obligations.

We are making a submission to the Inquiry informed by input from businesses involved in the provision of on-demand services, those that compete with on-demand services and those that use on demand services.

In other news, this week we acknowledged the long service, dedication and strategic direction provided by Bernadette Uzelac, as she announced her resignation as Chief Executive Officer of the Geelong Chamber.

The Victorian Chamber has shared a great partnership and worked collaboratively with Bernadette and the team on important business policy development. Bernadette has made an outstanding contribution to the betterment of the business opportunities in the region and surrounds, and we thank her for her ongoing support over the years.

On a final note, as we prepare to kick off our exceptional calendar of events, we hope you can join us on Tuesday 19 February for the fourth event in our ignite series to hear from astrophysicists and space technology experts from Swinburne University of Technology, or at the Victorian Chamber’s exclusive, annual Grand Prix Breakfast, to be held on Friday 15 March.

Mark Stone AM