Government to reject $34 billion welfare boost suggestion from expert panel it appointed

The federal government is expected to knock back a suggested $34 billion welfare boost recommended by an expert panel it appointed.

Treasurer Jim Chalmers had been told JobSeeker is inadequate to meet Australians' needs.

The expert panel appointed by the government to investigate the issue has suggested a significant increase to just under $1000 a fortnight.

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That would also increase its value to about 90 per cent of the aged pension.

But that move alone would cost about $24 billion across four years.

Overall, the report made 37 recommendations worth about $34 billion overall.

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But the government is anticipated to reject the main suggestions, with Chalmers already watering down hopes of a significant increase to JobSeeker.

In releasing the report overnight, he said the government could not fund every good idea.

But he claimed there would be measures to address economic disadvantage in the government's forthcoming budget.

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