Experts are predicting welfare recipients will have their Centrelink payments increased in next week’s federal budget.
Federal Treasurer Jim Chalmers has indicated his government will be adopting a number of measures that have been recommended by the Economic Inclusion Advisory Committee (EIAC).
The EIAC was put together as an advisory board to give the government recommendations around inclusion and equality ahead of each federal budget.
This year, the EIAC is recommending the Jobseeker rate be lifted to 90 per cent of the Age Pension, which would make the payment $1004.67 per fortnight, or an increase of around $121 per week.
Mr Chalmers has not specifically mentioned the Jobseeker rate by name and remains tight-lipped about exactly which recommendations the government will be implementing.
“In some cases, announcing future directions is warranted. In others, we need to be a bit more careful because we need to be cognisant of the budget situation and what we can afford,” he said.
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