BIIF in its tenth year and with our theme of "Optimism through Innovation", has been an outstanding success with over 5000 session registrations and people from all round the world attending.

Coronavirus news:

Covid challenged the organising committee early on, but didn't deter us hosting a world class entirely free event which has reminded all Australians that the Bendigo region truly lives the Aussie Can Do attitude.

The Greater City of Bendigo Council is to be congratulated for its foresight and support over the 10 years and can be particularly proud of this year's event.

I encourage all readers to still check the festival out on www.biif.com.au and hear of the wonderful stories and opportunities that are being presented to Central Victoria.

BIIF 2020 purposely had a focus on innovation and optimism in our manufacturing and educational sectors and leaders in all industries were shouting the highest praise for what is happening behind the scenes here.

Manufacturing is very much alive and well in our regional cities.

OTHER NEWS:

It was also extremely pleasing to receive recognition from the country's senior politicians including the PM and the Opposition Leader.

We have much to be optimistic and positive about, and I sincerely thank partners, sponsors and contributors for this amazing event. Well done.

An editorial earlier this week finishes by wondering if Daniel Andrews remaining in office is going to be feasible?

I would say it is perfectly feasible, Mr Andrews has no intention of going anywhere.

It will, however, be untenable.

Related: Batten down the hatches for a La Nina this spring and summer

It is important to understand why all cabinet Ministers and senior public servants appearing before the hotel quarantine inquiry appear to have developed amnesia and have been saying " I don't know".

They are all dead frightened of any admission of liability will cause them to be prosecuted under Victorian law. If found guilty they face a potential jail sentence of up to 25 years and/or a fine of up to $16.5 m.

Some of those were involved in designing draconian industrial manslaughter acts passed into law last November.

The legislation aimed to jail corporate boards for long periods if there was a death in their workplace or it could be linked to actions in their workplace, irrespective of their responsibility or control.

When the state drafted the legislation it would appear they failed to exclude government actions from the law's ambit.

Given the damning evidence uncovered in the Coate Inquiry will the head of Worksafe Victoria and the Director of Public Prosecution determine if an OH&S offence has taken place and prosecute?