The Victorian Chamber of Commerce and Industry and Committee for Melbourne have launched Maximising Victoria’s Potential and Competitiveness - a comprehensive business-led solutions platform calling for urgent reform ahead of the 2026 Victorian Election.
Representing more than 100,000 businesses and individuals across Victoria, the platform outlines practical reforms designed to restore Victoria’s competitiveness, strengthen business confidence and position the state for long-term economic growth.
The platform warns Victoria is underperforming on key economic measures including taxation, energy affordability, business confidence and regulatory burden, with businesses increasingly reconsidering investment, expansion and hiring decisions.
The reform agenda focuses on four key pillars critical to Victoria’s future prosperity:
- Energy
- Tax and Regulation
- Global Industries
- Education and Skills
The platform calls for:
- A credible and transparent energy roadmap that restores affordability and reliability
- A pathway to reducing the tax burden and cutting red tape
- Structured Industry Deals to attract investment and strengthen globally competitive sectors
- Workforce and skills reform aligned to future industry demand
The platform also highlights the growing impact of crime, cost pressures, declining productivity, rising debt and weakening business conditions on Victoria’s economic outlook.
To be attributed to Victorian Chamber of Commerce and Industry Chief Executive, Sally Curtain:
“Victoria has reached a critical economic turning point. Our state is not lacking potential, but it is being held back by settings that are no longer working.
“This platform is a practical roadmap to restore confidence, attract investment, grow jobs and improve living standards.
“Businesses are telling us they are ready to invest and grow, but they are facing mounting pressure from rising costs, taxes, regulation and energy uncertainty.
“We cannot continue asking businesses to carry more while expecting competitiveness and productivity to improve.
“This is not about ideology. It is about ensuring Victoria remains a place where businesses can invest, employ people and compete.”
To be attributed to Committee for Melbourne Chief Executive, Scott Veenker:
“Melbourne’s future prosperity depends on restoring Victoria’s competitiveness.
“Melbourne has extraordinary strengths: world-class education, a highly skilled workforce, a globally connected economy and incredible liveability, but we cannot take those advantages for granted.
“Global investment is mobile and highly competitive. Cities and states that create certainty, affordability and confidence will win.
“Melbourne and Greater Melbourne need a long-term economic strategy that supports investment, housing, infrastructure, innovation and jobs growth together.
“This platform recognises that business and government must work in genuine partnership to secure Victoria’s future prosperity.”
Contact details:
To organise television or radio interviews/grabs with Victorian Chamber Chief Executive Sally Curtain or Committee for Melbourne Chief Executive Scott Veenker, please call 0423 883 945 or email [email protected]