MWCCI Economic Outlook Breakfast
Description
Has there been a more challenging set of circumstances for regional business leaders to understand?
The Federal and Victorian State Budgets have landed. Government debt is rising. Interest rates remain under pressure. Inflation risks are building. Operating costs continue to climb. Global instability is adding further pressure to fuel, freight, supply chains and business confidence.
At the same time, Australia is entering one of the most significant political realignments since Federation — and regional communities are at the centre of it. Old assumptions about safe seats, party loyalty, regional voting behaviour and government attention are breaking down.
Regional communities are dealing with promises made, delayed, diluted or broken — while city-first spending continues to dominate and productive regions are expected to keep carrying more with less.
This is not just another business breakfast.
The MWCCI Economic Outlook Breakfast brings the region’s business, government and community decision-makers together for a critical briefing on the economic and political forces shaping the next phase for regional business.
Listen to insights from David Robertson, Head of Economic and Markets Research at Bendigo and Adelaide Bank, on the Federal Budget, economic outlook, interest rates, inflation, business confidence and the pressures facing Australian and regional business.
Then hear from Jade Benham MP, Member for Mildura. With November looming, Jade Benham MP will outline where the real political battle lines are emerging — debt, regional roads, health, education, Treaty, broken promises and the fight for regional Victoria’s fair share.
This event is about clarity, connection and influence.
The decisions being made now — by governments, banks, employers, investors, boards and regional leaders — will affect business costs, confidence, staffing, investment, infrastructure, health, education, roads and regional growth.
This is also about understanding the political environment in which those decisions will be made. The November state election is shaping as a defining contest for Victoria, with debt, infrastructure performance, Treaty, regional roads, health, education, broken promises and city-first priorities all part of the debate.
The MWCCI Economic Outlook Breakfast gives attendees the opportunity to hear directly from leading voices, understand the forces shaping the next phase for regional business, and spend time connecting with other business leaders and decision-makers from across the region.
This event is for anyone involved in key decisions across the Mildura-Wentworth region, including:
business owners
employers
senior managers
professional advisers
accountants and consultants
board members
investors
government representatives
council and agency leaders
community organisation leaders
regional advocates
anyone involved in decisions affecting costs, staffing, investment, infrastructure, service delivery or regional growth
Spend the morning with the region’s business leaders, employers, advisers, government representatives and decision-makers — the people shaping investment, employment, advocacy and regional growth.
Seats are limited. This is MWCCI’s first major business function after launch and is expected to attract strong interest from business, government and regional leaders.
Register early to secure your place.
** Your ticket includes a full hot buffet breakfast at The Grand Mildura, featuring a classic cooked breakfast, fresh fruit, yoghurt, pastries, bakery items, juice, tea and coffee. **
Speakers
David Robertson - Chief Economist, Head of Economic and Markets Research at Bendigo & Adelaide Bank
David Robertson is the Chief Economist and Head of Economic and Market Research at Bendigo Bank, having originally joined the organisation in 2002 as Head of Financial Markets. With a banking career that began in 1989 as a foreign exchange dealer, David brings over three decades of financial expertise to his current role. Prior to his tenure at Bendigo Bank, he built extensive experience in Treasury and Financial Markets through senior leadership positions at several major financial institutions. Widely recognised for his ability to translate complex economic data into accessible and actionable insights, David is a prominent voice on global and local economic trends. He regularly shares his analysis on interest rate movements, inflation, and the property market through monthly updates on the Bendigo Bank website and YouTube channel. Furthermore, David is a highly sought-after speaker at industry events, business forums, and academic institutions, where he helps business leaders and the broader community navigate an ever-evolving economic landscape.
Jade Benham MP - Member for Mildura
Prior to entering Parliament, Jade did many things and has had a pretty colourful life thus far. Jade worked in media for 13 years before escaping and going to live in a tree on Lake Michigan. She ended up staying in the United States for an extended period, before moving to the UK to take up a position at the Global Digital Media Agency. When her tenure was done there and she had all of this new knowledge, she returned to regional Victoria to set up her own business to assist small regional businesses with digital communications and marketing. Jade has travelled, worked in corporate and owned a small business. She was also a Councillor and Mayor before being tapped on the shoulder and asked if she would ever consider a career in politics. Jade has always been taught not to whinge about things if you are not willing to change them, which is why she ran for local government in the first place. During the pandemic the regional discrimination regional and rural Victorians suffered was amplified, and she decided she had to try to do something about it. This is what prompted her to run for Parliament. The main passion and priority Jade has as a member of Parliament is regional healthcare. Jade believes your postcode should not dictate your health outcomes, but it certainly does if you do not live in the city. Jade is passionate about promoting the food producers in her region, which produce everything – grain, meat, nuts, fruit, vegetables. Jade believes her region is feeding the nation and a few others, and she wants growers to know that they are valued and respected for that. Jade is passionate about roads and believes it is getting harder for food to get to market and port with little rail freight, and roads crumbling away before her very eyes.
Agenda
- 7:00 am - 7:15 am
Arrival & Breakfast
Arrival & opportunity to grab breakfast
- 7:15 am - 8:15 am
David Robertson
• Federal Budget implications • Interest rates and inflation • Business confidence and investment • Cost pressures and cashflow • Economic outlook for regional business • What local leaders should watch next Q&A to follow
- 8:15 am - 8:45 am
Jade Benham MP
• Where the November election battle lines are emerging • Debt and infrastructure performance • Regional roads, health and education • Treaty and broader state policy issues • Broken promises and city-first spending • The fight for regional Victoria’s fair share
- 8:45 am - 9:00 am
Networking
Opportunity to network
Tickets for good, not greed Humanitix dedicates 100% of profits from booking fees to charity
