The Melbourne Chamber of Commerce (MCC) has commenced the year in full stride. Read on to find out more about our activities during the last months.

As always, MCC members are a prominent feature in the Victorian Chamber’s Business Excellence magazine. The autumn ‘leadership’ themed issue is now available online and can be found via this link. You can peruse our back issues, including the summer innovation and ICT-themed issue, as well as other past editions on our website using your membership number to log in.

This quarter we warmly welcome Bevington Group, VicRoads, Melbourne Polytechnic, AFL, Box Hill Institute, Bendigo Kangan Institute, CDC Victoria, Aurecon Australia and, most recently, Victoria Racing Club as our newest members.

We encourage you to stay in touch with us via your Relationship Manager, and by joining our social media conversations via Twitter @Melb_Chamb and LinkedIn.

Regards,

Dianne Smith

POLICY/ELECTION UPDATE

During the first quarter of 2019, we have been advocating strongly to achieve our policy priorities and ensure your voice is heard at the highest levels of government. The re-elected Andrews Government is powering ahead with its agenda and it is our responsibility to ensure the voice of Victorian business is sought after and heard every step of the way.

We got on the front foot to advocate publicly for the passage of West Gate legislation. This long-standing policy priority for the Chamber has since been passed. We welcome a project that will deliver 6,000 new jobs to Victoria and many benefits to our state economy and metropolitan and regional communities.

Our submission to the Victorian Government’s Inquiry into the Victorian On-Demand Workforce was informed by members and argued against regulatory changes that damage opportunities for on-demand businesses and workers.

We are also prepared to partner with the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry once the upcoming Federal Election campaigns officially begin. Already, we are fighting on behalf of members to retain regulation that protects businesses against massive back pay claims from casual workers.

Federal Labor has indicated it would seek to overturn this regulation which could have damaging consequences for Victorian businesses. On behalf of Victoria’s 590,000 businesses, the Victorian Chamber will continue to advocate on your behalf as the election campaigns progress.

MEMBER NEWS

• McConnell Dowell confirmed as preferred contractor to deliver the Mordialloc Freeway project
• Bombardier and Dow welcome new national leaders, Wendy McMillan and Karen Dobson
• Steve Bracks announced as new Chancellor for Victoria University commencing 2021
• Western Health to have new neonatal intensive care facilities as part of the soon to open Joan Kirner Women’s and Children’s hospital
Boeing’s Mike Bunker accepts promotion to the US, leaving his Victorian posting
• Melbourne Convention Bureau announces new convention Rotary 2023 @MelbConventions
• Melbourne Airport announced continued record results in its latest passenger arrivals report
• State Government Department of Economic Development, Jobs, Transport and Resources (DEDJTR) becomes Department of Jobs, Precincts & Regions (DJPR)
• 2019 Victorian Manufacturing Hall of Fame Awards to be held 14 May – registrations now open!

IGNITE

Universities are an important part of our membership and I am pleased to be the project lead for the Victorian Chamber’s innovation event series, ignite, which fosters collaboration between businesses and universities.

The fourth event in this series was recently presented by Swinburne University of Technology on 19 February where guests heard from Swinburne’s leading Space and Space-connected academics and an industry expert as they explored the topic ‘Space Tech – the new Australian Industry.’

RMIT University will host its second ignite event on 3 May, with the theme of ‘The Growing Social Economy’.

You can view the videos from Swinburne and to register for the next ignite event at RMIT, visit: www.victorianchamber.com.au/training/event-series/ignite

The ignite digital magazine has recently been published. You can read it online here, and also in a Mandarin version.

Ignite events are free for members.

LEADERSHIP LUNCHEONS

The first Leadership Lunch for 2019 featured Bank of Melbourne CEO and Victorian Chamber Executive Council member, Michelle Winzer who spoke about the Bank’s brand as Victoria’s local bank, its commitment to community-related projects, technology in banking, staff culture, and implications of the Banking Royal Commission.

We hosted 35 members at this event, with social media coverage here.

ON-SITE VISITS/TOURS

It was a pleasure to welcome over 50 members on a Best Practice Tour of the Royal Agricultural Society of Victoria’s Melbourne Showgrounds.

Jimmy Watson trophy, gin tastings, venue upgrades and Bertie beetle show bags all featured in this excellent tour. We thank Paul Guerra & the @RAS_Vic team for a fabulous afternoon.

We look forward to our next Best Practice Tour at Yarra Valley Water’s “Waste to Energy” facility 17 April.

The MCC team loves visiting members on-site so let us know what you’re achieving, and we’ll come see for ourselves!

SARAWAK, MALAYSIA DELEGATION

In collaboration with Swinburne University, we hosted a Sarawak, Malaysia Ministerial and business delegation in mid-December where 61 guests learnt about trade opportunities, signed a MOU and enjoyed lunch.

Economic and education ties exist between Sarawak and Victoria, especially through Swinburne's campus in the capital, Kuching. Sarawak aims to transform its economy and its interest in investing in technology and infrastructure. It was encouraging to hear about the potential to grow trade and partnerships in energy, property, healthcare, tourism and agribusiness.

PREMIUM HOSPITALITY

Other key events successfully delivered included two “premium hospitality” events, one at an Australian Open Tennis Semi Final and the other as part of Melbourne Food & Wine Festival.

These events are included for all Melbourne Chamber Fellow and Foundation level members each year and members can choose a preferred option from the two aforementioned, or the AFL finals in September.

You can see photos from both events at the Victorian Chamber’s Facebook page.

HR NETWORK GROUPS

Two expert-led network groups were facilitated for MCC members, led by Phil Lovelock on OHS & Worker's Compensation and Lisa Burrell from Workplace Relations on the topic of Unfair Dismissals.

For the latter, we were privileged to have Deputy President of the Fair Work Commission, Richard Clancy as guest speaker.

Please get in touch if you’d like to be included on these quarterly meetings or receive information.

OTHER EVENTS

• MCC members attended VCCI events, including the Business After Dark at Marvel Stadium and the Grand Prix Breakfast at Albert Park Lake
• MCC co-hosted an AIME luncheon with Melbourne Convention Bureau (with Prof Sharon Lewin AO as guest speaker)
• I was delighted to MC the Western Health International Women's Day Breakfast on 5 March
• A group of 60 members and stakeholders enjoyed a preview performance of Jersey Boys at the Regent Theatre, including a presentation by Producer, Rodney Rigby, who is a New York-based Australian and Producer of "Come from Away" soon to open in Melbourne
• Great to see many members at the inaugural Not in My Workplace event #NIMW

SAVE THE DATE

Our calendar of events will be regularly updated throughout the year and provided to you. Some upcoming highlights include:

• 17 April – Best Practice Tour: Yarra Valley Water – Waste to Energy facility
• 1 May – Post-budget luncheon with Treasurer, Tim Pallas MP
• 3 May – ignite+RMIT University: Australia’s growing social economy
• 14 May – Victorian Manufacturing Hall of Fame Gala
• 28 May – Leadership Luncheon with Jacinta Allan MP
• 29 May – OHS & Workers Compensation Working Group – Q2
• 26 June – Workplace Relations boardroom session – Q2
• 17 July – VTIC Tourism Conference: From Disruption to Excellence
• 25 July – Melbourne Chamber Members’ Cocktail Evening
• 15 August – President’s Dinner