Chalmers confirms millions to receive up to $500 in energy rebates in Tuesday budget

Amount received will depend on location, treasurer says, but no comment on calls to increase jobseeker base rate

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The treasurer, Jim Chalmers, has promised hundreds of dollars of energy rebates to 5.5m households as part of cost-of-living relief which will apply “to more than one age cohort”.

After reports on Monday that an increase in the base rate of jobseeker may be limited to the over-55s, which Chalmers did not contradict, on Sunday the treasurer continued to reposition expectations by noting the “cost-of-living package is much broader than what has been speculated on”.

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