News Article

Victorian business will today set the business agenda for the state’s major political parties in the lead up to the 2014 state election. More than 100 representatives from a range of businesses across metropolitan and regional Victoria will converge at Parliament House for the VECCI Victoria Summit to discuss and confirm the business agenda needed to accelerate growth and increase competitiveness.

VECCI Chief Executive Mark Stone says, "As a state, we have achieved much in recent times by way of responsible economic and fiscal management. The challenge for business and policy makers is to continue this momentum, accelerating productivity, investment and employment into 2014 and beyond.

"The Summit will explore four major themes that the major parties are being encouraged to focus on as they develop their policies in the lead up to the 2014 state election."

The themes include:
• Making Victoria even more competitive
• Building an even smarter Victoria
• Increasing Victoria's international focus
• Making Victoria even more liveable
"These are the themes that businesses consistently tell us are important to their future," says Mr Stone. "They are inter-linked and vital to Victoria's continued economic success."

Attendees will discuss recommendations to support the key themes, with Minister Asher representing the Premier of Victoria, and James Merlino MP, Deputy Leader of the Opposition, sharing their views on reforms that can drive further economic prosperity across the state.