This week, the Victorian Chamber released its first Business Excellence magazine for the year with a special feature from Premier Andrews. This Leadership-themed edition profiles some of the State’s most successful leaders who share the challenges and wins of their rich and varied journeys.

Examining best practice of leadership across a range of sectors, we are proud to showcase some of our state’s most engaging success stories.

If you are yet to view this issue, I encourage you to log on and read some of the insightful articles, including features from First State Super who talk us through leadership in uncertain times, Bevington Group who offer expert advice on riding the waves of organisational change, and Fulton Hogan who share why diversity and inclusion informs their holistic approach to decision making.

In policy news, last week, the Victorian Chamber expressed its disappointment with legislation to make three new public holidays permanent.

These public holidays will cost the Victorian economy more than $9 billion over the next decade, and the bill will be footed by business and taxpayers.

Victorian businesses cannot afford to pay for these public holidays; those that open are hit by significant penalty rates, and the ones that close face a huge bill to pay staff not to come to work.

At a time when the cost of doing business in Victoria is rising, this legislation puts jobs at risk. We will continue to advocate on behalf of Victorian businesses to ensure they are at the forefront of the political agenda. Our position on this issue is unchanged.

In other policy news, the Victorian Chamber is seeking your feedback regarding the ways your business would be affected by the proposed minimum wage increase by the Australian Council of Trade Unions (ACTU). If you have a view on this particular issue, please reply to policy@victorianchamber.com.au to tell us how your small business would be impacted should the increase occur.

On the events front, yesterday we were proud to present our first Victorian Chamber AFLW Grand Final Lunch at Marvel Stadium to over 300 members of the business community. Just days before the Grand Final, it was a pleasure to be joined by stars of the game, Katie Brennan, Melissa Hickey and Abbey Holmes, and Seven Network AFLW commentator Nigel Carmody, for a lively discussion regarding the challenges and highlights of their careers and the AFL Women’s league.

Thank you to all who attended this inaugural event. Best of luck to both Carlton and Adelaide on their Grand Final on Sunday.