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.
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.
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.
WITH JUSTt over one week until entries close on Friday 8 May, the Australian Retailers Association (ARA) encourages all retailers to prepare their submissions for the 2015 eftpos ARA Australian Retail Awards.
Tickets are selling fast for the retail industry’s most recognised awards event of the year - the ARA Awards Breakfast on Thursday 2 July at the Grand Hyatt, Melbourne – where all award winners will be announced.
ARA Executive Director Russell Zimmerman encourages any retailers who are yet to enter to visit the ARA Awards website and submit their entry.
“There is an award category to suit everyone - from our HR superstars, retail graduates and mum-and-dad owner operators, right through to those who have completed an amazing retail store fit-out or those leading the way in retail payment technologies. Of course, we’re also looking for the ‘Retailer of the Year,’ ‘Innovator of the Year’ and ‘Retail Employer of the Year.’
“We have had an overwhelmingly positive response this year from retailers across Australia who have put their hands up and are willing to share their stories. As Australia’s first and largest national retail awards program, the ARA Awards have celebrated Australia’s leading retailers for over 40 years and have become something of an icon in the retail industry.
“The Awards Breakfast, where all winners will be announced, is a valuable networking event for all retailers to attend and enjoy. Attendees will gain valuable insights from this year’s keynote speaker Jodie Fox, Chief Creative Officer and co-founder of multichannel sensation Shoes of Prey and have the opportunity to network with retail professionals from across Australia and abroad,” Mr Zimmerman said.
This year, the ARA Awards are again proudly supported by eftpos as the events major sponsor. eftpos Managing Director Bruce Mansfield said he hoped to see a record number of retailers enter the awards and share their inspiring success stories about how they contribute to Australia and the communities in which they operate.
“eftpos is proud to support these awards because they recognise the extraordinary work that is done by the hundreds of thousands of retailers who serve Australian communities every single day,” Mr Mansfield said.
“Retail is an industry that touches all Australians and contributes to the economies of almost every community across the nation, no matter how small. It is an exceptionally important industry that impacts all of our daily lives and it is great to have an opportunity to recognise the contribution of these businesses and the people who run them."
ARA Awards Breakfast
When: Thursday 2 July 2015, 7.00am (for 7.30am start) to 10.30am Where: Grand Hyatt, 123 Collins Street, Melbourne Ticket prices: ARA members $60 / guests $80 ARA members table of 10 $500 / guest table of 10 $700
The 2015 ARA Awards are open now – visit www.australianretailawards.com.au to enter. Entries close Friday 8 May. To reserve your tickets now email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
ARA Award categories: eftpos Australian Retailer of the Year, BDO Australian Retail Employer of the Year, The Realise Group Australian Independent Retailer of the Year, Pronto Software Australian Retail Innovator of the Year, Expr3ss! Staff Selection Software Australian Retail Graduate of the Year, NORA Australian Multichannel Retailer of the Year, FCB Australian Retail HR Rising Star of the Year, Rest Industry Super Individual Retailer of the Year, Roy Morgan Customer Satisfaction Retailer of the Year, Shop for Shops Australian Retail Store Fit-out of the Year and MasterCard Australian Retail Payments Leader of the Year.
Since 1903, the Australian Retailers Association (ARA) has been the peak industry body representing Australia’s $265 billion retail sector, which employs over 1.2 million people. The ARA ensures retail success by informing, protecting, advocating, educating and saving money for its 5,000 independent and national retail members throughout Australia.
VECCI has welcomed the Commonwealth Government’s announced release of draft legislation to extend unfair contract term protections to small business, according to Chief Executive Mark Stone.
"VECCI’s Small Business Taskforce report, “Small Business. Big Opportunity”, urged the Commonwealth Government to commit to implementing the proposed protections detailed in this scheme and we welcome the progression of this important measure," Mr Stone said.
"Once the protections are implemented, a court will have the power to strike out a term of a small business contract that is considered unfair.
"The protections will apply to small businesses (employing less than 20 people) for transactions under $100,000, or $250,000 for contracts that last longer than 12 months.
"The changes will support small businesses in their daily operations, but businesses must remain vigilant in conducting due diligence on large contracts.
"VECCI commends the Government for this action."
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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