Transcript below:

Welcome to this week’s bulletin, and to the start of the festive season.

Last week, the Victorian Parliament passed a new workplace manslaughter law. The Victorian Chamber genuinely hopes that this law is successful in preventing workplace injuries and deaths.

We have worked hard with the Government, Opposition and cross bench, trying to ensure that this law is fair and equitable and delivers improved workplace safety outcomes.

We have proposed sound and workable improvements to the legislation that would have enhanced safety outcomes and fairness. For example, we have consistently argued for the law to apply equally to everyone in the workplace, not just organisations and senior officers. Everyone in every workplace has the power to improve safety standards, and including employees in this legislation would only improve safety outcomes.

We are disappointed these amendments were not adopted by the Parliament. As a result, we consider the legislation will not achieve the very best outcomes for safety, investment and jobs, and we will therefore continue to seek changes to this law to make it better.

The Victorian Chamber is holding briefings on Wednesday 11 December on how employers can prepare and respond to this law. Please visit our website at victorianchamber.com.au for more information.

Meanwhile, there is still time for Victorian Chamber, Melbourne Chamber and Victoria Tourism Industry Council members to take part in the December quarter of our Business Trends and Prospects Survey, closing on Wednesday 11 December.

Special questions included in this month’s survey invite you to tell us how unnecessary regulations are impacting your businesses. We want to understand your experience in dealing with regulators and your priorities for regulation reform.

Your feedback will support our call on governments at all levels to cut red tape, improve business competitiveness and grow jobs.

Please visit the Victorian Chamber website to take part and have your say.

Thank you, and I wish you a good week ahead.