Geelong Chamber Business Forum – Key Election Issues for Business Leaders

In just a few short weeks, Australia will make decisions that will shape the economic future of our region. The Geelong Chamber of Commerce is excited to bring you this special event – Geelong Chamber Business Forum – where you will hear directly from the politicians who will decide policies affecting your business, workforce, and the broader Geelong economy. The stakes are high, and understanding their vision for Australia’s economic future could make all the difference to your business strategy in the coming years.

As a business leader, your presence at this forum is not just important – it’s essential.

Date: Monday 14 April

Time: 7.30am-9.30am

Venue: Truffleduck, 66 Hyland St, Fyansford (see map here)

Cost: $99+gst – breakfast included

Meet the Speakers

Richard Marles
Deputy Prime Minister
Minister for Defence
Labor Party

Richard Marles is currently the Deputy Prime Minister of Australia, Minister for Defence and the Federal Member for Corio.

Richard’s previous appointments include Deputy Leader of the Opposition, Shadow Minister for National Reconstruction, Employment, Skills and Small Business, Shadow Minister for Science, Shadow Minister for Defence, Shadow Minister for Immigration and Border Protection, Minister of Trade, Parliamentary Secretary for Foreign Affairs, Parliamentary Secretary for Pacific Island Affairs, Parliamentary Secretary for Innovation and Industry, and Chair of the House of Representatives Standing Committee on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island Affairs.

Born in 1967, Richard was raised and educated in Geelong and went on to study Law and Science, achieving a LLB (Hons) and a BSc from the University of Melbourne.

Richard lives in Geelong with his wife Rachel and has four children, Sam, Isabella, Harvey and Georgia. He is a devoted Geelong Cats supporter, golf fanatic and local history enthusiast.

Senator the Hon Sarah Henderson
Shadow Minister for Education
Senator for Victoria
Liberal Party

As Shadow Minister for Education, Sarah is passionate about the role of education in driving global competitiveness, building a shared national identity, and cultivating democratic values. Since her appointment in February 2023, Sarah has been focused on the critical reforms needed to raise educational standards both in Australian schools and universities.

Sarah was first elected to the House of Representatives as the member for Corangamite in 2013. Her previous roles include chair of the Standing Committee on Economics; Assistant Minister for Social Services, Housing and Disability Services; chair of the Senate Legal and Constitutional Affairs Legislation Committee and Shadow Minister for Communications.

In 2019, Sarah was appointed to the Senate and re-elected in the number one spot on the senate ticket in 2022.

Sarah was born and raised in Geelong and holds a Bachelor of Laws (Hons) from Monash University.  After a successful career in broadcast journalism, Sarah worked as a commercial lawyer with Allens in Melbourne and News Corporation in New York before taking on several media management roles.

As a local MP and Geelong-based Victorian senator, Sarah has driven very significant investments into our region on behalf of the former Coalition government including the Waurn Ponds rail upgrade, stage 1 of the Barwon Heads Rd duplication, the Geelong City Deal and Hanwha’s Howitzer defence project at Avalon, now the Armoured Vehicle Centre of Excellence.