Welfare Payments to Add $33 Billion to Albanese’s First Budget

Australian Treasurer Jim Chalmers conducts television interviews at Parliament House in Canberra, Australia, on Oct. 23, 2022. AAP Image/Mick Tsikas

An extra $33 billion (US$21 billion) will go towards the pension and other welfare payments in the Australian federal budget, with inflation largely responsible for growing welfare costs.