# Advocacy

Source: https://www.commerceballarat.com.au/about/advocacy/

Advocacy

## Commerce Ballarat is the largest independent business group in the city creating a united voice for all business sectors. We aim to provide strong, reliable leadership and advocacy on matters relevant to business in greater Ballarat.

#### Victorian Regional Chamber Alliance

- [2026 May VRCA Business Health Survey Report](https://www.commerceballarat.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/2026-May-VRCA-Business-Health-Survey-Report.pdf)

National Employment Standards Inquiry:

- [VRCA Submission to NES Inquiry Committee](https://www.commerceballarat.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/VRCA-submission-to-NES-inquiry.pdf) (February 2026)

Work from Home Legislation:

- [Proposed Work from Home Statement](https://www.commerceballarat.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/VRCA-Statement-Proposed-Work-From-Home-Legislation.pdf) (Aug 2025)

Emergency Services and Volunteers Fund Levy:

- [Victorian Businesses can not endure any additional costs](https://www.commerceballarat.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/VRCA-Statement-Victorian-businesses-cannot-endure-any-additional-costs.pdf) (Sept 2025)
- [Statement on Emergency Services and Volunteers Fund Levy](https://www.commerceballarat.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/VRCA-Statement-on-Emergency-Services-and-Volunteers-Fund-ESVF-Levy.pdf) (April 2025)

Mental Health:

- [Mental Health Support](https://www.commerceballarat.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Media-Release-Mental-Health-Support-Sept-2024.pdf) (Sept 2024)

**Chambers of Commerce:**

- [The Health of Chambers](https://www.commerceballarat.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/VRCA-Letter-The-Health-of-Chambers.pdf) (July 2025)
- [The Critical Importance of Local Chambers](https://www.commerceballarat.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/The-critical-importance-of-local-Chambers.pdf) (December 2024)
- [Joint Statement](https://www.commerceballarat.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Media-Release-Fund-Local-Achieve-More.pdf) Fund Local Achieve More (February 2024)

**Building Industry Crisis:**

- [Joint Statement](https://mcusercontent.com/63a62d571fbb6eec1c27e8159/files/a8fa05d1-6a19-f040-5d33-977bef0aa36d/Media_Release_Regional_Victorian_building_industry_in_crisis.pdf?mc_cid=186ea62f42&mc_eid=ae34bb23a9) Regional Victorian Building Industry in Crisis: Urgent Government Intervention Needed (April 2024)

**Further Support Withdrawn from Regional Victoria:**

- [Joint Statement](https://www.commerceballarat.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Further-Support-Withdrawn-from-Regional-Victoria.pdf) (June 2023)

**Victorian Workforce and Housing Issues:**

- [Joint Statement](https://www.commerceballarat.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Media-Statement.pdf) (October 2022)

**Victorian Government Purchasing Board Contract:**

- [Joint Statement Victorian Government Purchasing Board Contracts Policy](https://www.commerceballarat.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/VPBC-Statement1.pdf) (May 2021)

**COVID:**

- [Joint Statement – Support & Clarity Required](https://www.commerceballarat.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/VRCA-Statement-Support-and-Clarity-Requested.pdf) (October 2021)
- [Joint Statement – Live Streaming](https://www.commerceballarat.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/VRCA-Statement-Live-Streaming.pdf) (August 2021)
- [Joint Statement – Regional Victoria – Working from home directive](https://www.commerceballarat.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Joint-statement-work-from-home-directive-.pdf) (June 2021)
- [Joint Statement – Regional Victoria: It’s time to really open](https://www.commerceballarat.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Media-Release-COVID-Restrictions-June-2021-VRCA-Final.pdf) (June 2021)
- [Letter to Premier Re: COVID Response](https://www.commerceballarat.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Letter-to-the-Premier-re-COVID-19-response-22-February-2021.pdf) (February 2021)
- [Joint Statement – Regional Roadmap](https://www.commerceballarat.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Joint-statement-regional-roadmap-Final-Ballarat-media.pdf) (September 2020)
- [Letter – Urgent Support for Regional Victoria](https://www.commerceballarat.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Letter-Urgent-support-for-regional-Victoria.pdf) (April 2020)
- [Statement – Regional Vic Ready to Open](https://www.commerceballarat.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Statement-Regional-Vic-Ready-to-Open.pdf) (October 2020)
- [Joint Statement – Extension of JobKeeper](https://www.commerceballarat.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Federal_Government_Job_keepers_Final.pdf) (June 2020)

#### Commerce Ballarat:

- [Bridge Street Traffic Statement](https://www.commerceballarat.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Bridge-Street-Traffic-statement.pdf) (March 2021)
- [Media Release Re: Lydiard St Railway Gates](https://www.commerceballarat.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Media-Release-Rail-Gates.pdf) (February 2021)

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