THE Victoria Tourism Industry Council (VTIC), in association with the Victorian Events Industry Council (VEIC), welcomes the State Government's announced additional $20 million annually for the next four years in funding to support the growth of major events throughout Victoria.

"Victoria is the major events capital of Australia and we're delighted this funding will enable us to further bolster our standing, by delivering more events to Melbourne and regional places throughout Victoria," said VTIC Chief Executive Dianne Smith.

"We have consistently urged policy makers to further leverage our strength in major events and we are thrilled that the Andrews Government is using its first budget to recognise the important contribution tourism and events make to our economy and community."

The measure will be provided through a significant boost to the Victorian Major Events Company, lifting its annual budget from $42 million to $62 million.

The tourism and events industry contributes $20 billion annually to the Victorian economy and employs 200,000 people.

"As the Premier has highlighted today, major events draw tourism and create great opportunity for local operators such as restaurants and hotels. VTIC will continue to work with government and operators throughout Victoria to make sure we leverage the job creation possibilites that this measure brings," said Ms Smith.

The Victoria Tourism Industry Council (VTIC) is the peak body for Victoria’s tourism and events industry, providing one united industry voice.

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VECCI Chief Executive Mark Stone said it was a big positive that the State Government’s announced $257 million investment in new regional rail carriages and infrastructure will create nearly 200 Victorian jobs and boost skills in the Geelong region.

"VECCI welcomes the fact that the new carriages will be built by Bombardier in Victoria, securing 64 jobs," Mr Stone said.

"In addition, the new maintenance and stabling yard in Geelong will create 100 jobs during construction, 30 ongoing jobs and include apprenticeship and education opportunities.

"The 21 new VLocity carriages adding an additional 1,500 passengers to the daily capacity of the V/Line system will be welcomed by commuters and leisure travellers.

"We welcome the State Government’s announced budgetary commitments to Victoria’s transport network and look forward to further job creating infrastructure commitments in Tuesday’s budget."

The Victorian Employers' Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VECCI) is the most influential business organisation in Victoria, informing and servicing more than 15,000 members, customers and clients around the state.

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VECCI recognises that the focus of this year’s State Budget is going to be on delivering the Andrews Government’s pre-election commitments.

These commitments have a strong focus on jobs and are closely aligned to the priorities for reform VECCI championed through its 2014 pre-state election campaign Taking Care of Business. 

With this in mind, the budget must fund important productivity enhancing, job creating infrastructure projects.

“We have already welcomed the recently announced funding to progress Melbourne Metro Rail, the Transurban proposal for the Western Distributor project and the agreement to deliver the CityLink / Tullamarine Freeway Widening Project,” said VECCI Chief Executive Mark Stone.

“The Andrews Government must build on these announcements by funding and progressing its level crossings removal project and the establishment of Infrastructure Victoria.”

A commitment to expand the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre, to be completed by 2018, would also be of great benefit to Victoria’s major events and tourism sectors.

A budget allocation from the Regional Jobs and Infrastructure Fund will be important to ensure the delivery of a number of regional infrastructure projects committed to pre-election including:
- The Ballarat Station Redevelopment
- Geelong Performing Arts Centre
- Eureka Stadium, Ballarat
- Grampians Peak Trail

Business is also looking forward to the budget funding a range of other pledged initiatives including:
- The Back to Work Act
- The Premier’s Jobs and Investment Panel
- The Future Industries Fund
- Start-Up Victoria
- Projects Victoria
- Inbound trade missions and new Victorian Government Business Offices

“If not contained in this year’s budget, future budgets must continue to work towards encouraging jobs by lifting the payroll tax threshold and strengthening Victoria’s international engagement capabilities,” said Mr Stone.

The Victorian Employers' Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VECCI) is the most influential business organisation in Victoria, informing and servicing more than 15,000 members, customers and clients around the state.

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VECCI has welcomed the release of Melcourne's Western Distributor proposal, according to Chief Executive Mark Stone.

"The project has the potential to visibly enhance freight productivity by reducing traffic congestion, decreasing commuter travel times and improving port access," Mr Stone said.

"VECCI has consistently called for a second river crossing. The proposal represents a major step forward in achieving this and improving the movement of freight around Melbourne.

"With the Port of Melbourne’s throughput expected to triple by 2041, improved access to the port provided by this project will be crucial to the state’s longer-term trade and economic performance.

"Together with the government’s planned widening of the CityLink / Tullamarine Freeway, the announcement represents a major step forward in improving Melbourne’s transport network. These projects will save business money, help people get to work on time, improve urban liveability and create thousands of new jobs," Mr Stone said.

"The proposal also demonstrates the important role the private sector has to play in not only funding major projects, but bringing forward new ideas that have the potential to address Victoria’s most pressing infrastructure challenges. VECCI commends Transurban on this great initiative.

"If realised, the proposal would be one of a small number of projects that transform our transport system, delivering enduring economic benefits for generations to come."

The Victorian Employers' Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VECCI) is the most influential business organisation in Victoria, informing and servicing more than 15,000 members, customers and clients around the state.

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