Victorian government has been urged to make a bid for the 2027 Rugby World Cup

The state government is being urged to make a bid for the 2027 Rugby World Cup as part of a staggering $200m plan to put Victoria back on the map as the global events capital.

The state government has been urged to make a bid for the 2027 Rugby World Cup final as part of a bold $200m package to recrown Victoria as the events capital of the world.

In a submission to the government ahead of the state budget, the Victorian Chamber of Commerce and Industry says securing the final and other key games in the series is critical to help the decimated events industry recover.

It has called for a $200m events attraction industry fund to attract and capture world leading events to Victoria, including a business plan to secure the 2027 World Cup.

“Victoria knows how to put on an event and should be ambitious in targeting a range of events,” the budget submission said.

Australia has been nominated as the preferred host for the 2027 World Cup, with a showdown expected between Sydney and Melbourne.

Victoria’s visitor economy contributed just $8.9bn to the state in 2020-21 compared to $32bn in 2019-20.

Siya Kolisi, the South Africa captain, raises the Webb Ellis Cup after their victory during the Rugby World Cup 2019 Final. Picture: Getty Images

The submission calls for more targeted support to keep tourist destinations operational and financial support to boost the return of international students. The proposals are among a suite of 73 recommendations that also include:

DOUBLING wage subsidies for hiring apprentices or trainees and providing businesses with $1000;

COMMITTING to zero youth unemployment by 2026;

INCREASING the payroll tax threshold to $1.2m in metropolitan Victoria and decrease the rate to zero in regional Victoria; and

A $500M contingency fund to respond to any Covid-19 or influenza outbreaks.

The chamber also recommends adopting a target to grow Victoria’s share of Australia’s total exports to 50 per cent by 2025.

VECCI chief Paul Guerra said the 2022-23 budget must reactivate the economy by encouraging business.

“It must also facilitate future economic development through targeted support and incentivisation,” he said.

“It must be a budget that focuses on business and enables business to be the primary driver of economic growth.

“After the last two difficult years, this will be a critical budget for Victoria as we look to turbocharge our economic recovery and move forward to create a state that is the best place to live, work, learn and operate a business.”

Australia has been nominated as the preferred host for the 2027 World Cup. Picture: Dave Hunt

Mr Guerra said the 73 recommendations were based on the feedback of businesses across the state.

The budget submission also calls for investment in high-speed trains to regional Victoria, as well as $150m for a Victorian Space Strategy.

Additional funding for electric vehicle charging stations across Victoria and the introduction of a subsidy for industries transitioning to clean hydrogen as a primary energy source are also on the list.