Budget to contain $14.6bn in cost-of-living relief amid hopes of broader jobseeker rise

The treasurer, Jim Chalmers, has confirmed a $14.6bn cost-of-living relief package as part of the Australian budget, but has not commented on a potential rise in the jobseeker base rate. Photograph: Mike Bowers/The Guardian

The centrepiece of the Albanese government’s budget will be a $14.6bn package of cost-of-living relief, paid for in part by savings of $17.8bn.

The treasurer, Jim Chalmers, has confirmed there will be new measures in the cost-of-living package in Tuesday’s budget, adding to anti-poverty advocates’ hopes that the government will implement a broad rise to the jobseeker base rate, not just a limited increase for those aged over 55.