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Who is eligible to receive extra assistance for essential medical equipment?
People covered by a Commonwealth concession card who have additional home energy costs because they rely on essential medical equipment.
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How can I save money by upgrading to an energy efficient pool pump?
Upgrading old pool pumps to a minimum 5-star energy efficient pool pump can save the average pool owner around $300 each year. Energy efficient pool pumps minimise electricity use by adjusting ...
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I received a flyer explaining how the Government will provide households with $10.10 to help electricity bills. Will my household receive this payment & how will it be paid?
The figure of $10.10 refers to the average amount of assistance households receive through tax cuts and increases in family payments, pensions and benefits. This assistance is part of the ...
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How can builders benefit from gaining the knowledge and skills they need to construct homes that are more energy efficient?
The demand for houses that are energy efficient is on the rise as Australian homeowners begin to realise the benefits. Equipping builders with the skills they need to produce cutting-edge ...
Want to know more about the Carbon Farming Initiative?
Watch these short videos CFI Overview, Capturing piggery methane, Capturing landfill gas and Environmental plantings.
What does a partial link between the Australian and European systems mean?
A partial link between the Australian and European systems is an interim step towards a full link no later than July 2018. Under a partial link, Australian businesses will be ...
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What is linking?
A link between emissions trading systems enables participants in one system to use units from another system for compliance purposes. Linking emissions trading systems provides a number of benefits including ...
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What is included in the linking arrangement between Australia and the European Commission
The arrangement includes the European Commission seeking a mandate to negotiate a treaty on behalf of the European Union by mid-2015 for the full linking of the emission trading systems ...
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Why link the Australian and European systems?
Linking the Australian and EU systems benefits both parties and provides an example of how, through international cooperation and the use of markets, countries can work together to reduce carbon ...
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What will a full link between the Australian and European systems mean?
A full link will further integrate Australian and European carbon markets by allowing businesses to use carbon units from Australia or Europe for compliance under either system. The European Commission ...
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Why are Australia and the EU proceeding with a partial link rather than a full link from 2015?
Work on a full link between the two systems will continue in parallel with the implementation of the partial link. However, recognising the complexities of moving to a full link ...
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Can European businesses use Australian carbon units in the EU ETS?
European installations will be able to use Australian units for compliance as soon as full linking comes into operation, from July 2018 at the latest.
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When and how can Australian liable entities use European allowances for compliance under the Australian scheme?
Australian liable entities (businesses covered by the Australian scheme) will be able to use European allowances to assist them in meeting their obligations from 1 July 2015 when the flexible ...
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What does linking mean for Australian businesses’ access to international units?
Linking will provide Australian businesses with secure access to a broader pool of international emissions units. European allowances will be added as an eligible international unit that can be used ...
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Why is the Australian Government removing the price floor?
Removing the price floor will simplify the pathway towards full linking, and was an element of the linking package agreed between Australia and the European Commission. By connecting Australian and ...
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What does a partial link between the Australian and European systems mean?
A partial link between the Australian and European systems is an interim step towards a full link no later than July 2018. Under a partial link, Australian businesses will be ...
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I’m an apprentice tradesperson. Where can I go to learn about sustainable business practices?
The TAFE NSW Riverina Institute is embedding green skills education into all its qualifications. Whether you’re an apprentice electrician, builder or mechanic, the Riverina Institute will give you the necessary ...
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How is the Government helping Australian businesses make the transition to a clean energy future?
The Government has designed a number of assistance measures for the business community, from large industrial producers to small businesses. Assistance measures will target emissions-intensive, trade-exposed industries, other areas of ...
What parts of Australia would best lend themselves to harnessing wave-generated power?
The southern coastline of Australia has the greatest wave resource. This is because strong Southern Ocean winds generate consistently large waves which travel northwards to Australia’s southern coastline. The large ...
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What’s the Government doing to promote investment in renewable energy?
Under the Clean Energy Future plan, over $13 billion will be invested in clean energy projects. This includes $10 billion over five years from 2013-2014 for the commercially oriented Clean Energy ...
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I run a small business – where can I get information on how the carbon price might affect my finances?
Institute of Chartered Accountants provides up-to-date information and advice on the carbon price and its implications for business, including carbon accounting and reporting obligations.
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When will the Clean Technology Investment Program begin distributing grants funding?
The Clean Technology Investment Program has already begun handing out grant funding, with 13 projects already approved totalling over $8 million. Grant recipients have received funding for a range of ...
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Why is the impact of the carbon price on household electricity bills different depending on which state or territory you live in?
The impact of the carbon price on household electricity bill varies from state-to-state for a number of reasons. Actual prices rises will depend on by whether your state or territory ...
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What is the relationship between the carbon price and Renewable Energy Target (RET)?
The Renewable Energy Target (RET) and the carbon price are both market mechanisms. They are designed to work together to ensure Australia meets its targets for deployment of renewable energy at the ...
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What can I do if I think a shop or business has raised their prices too much?
You should contact the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) if you think a business is attributing significant price rises to the carbon price. The ACCC will investigate businesses’ carbon ...
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How much more will I have to pay on my grocery bill?
The carbon price will have a very modest impact on your weekly trip to the supermarket. Australians will pay on average 40 cents extra for every $100 they spend at ...
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I have noticed that my electricity bill keeps going up. Why?
Retail electricity prices have been rising due to a number of factors including increased investment in transmission and distribution networks (poles and wires) and ongoing support for national energy efficiency ...
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How will carbon pricing affect my electricity bill?
According to Commonwealth Treasury figures, the carbon price will on average make up just $9 out of every $100 spent on household electricity bills.
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What assistance is available from the Government to help with carbon price-related price rises?
The Australian Government is providing assistance to those who need it the most through the Household Assistance Package. The Household Assistance Package means millions of Australians will be eligible for ...
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Will the carbon price affect household fuel costs?
No, fuel used by cars and light on-road commercial vehicles will not be subject to the carbon price.
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Will I have to pay more for everyday goods and services because of the carbon price?
Yes, it is expected that in 2012-13 the carbon price will increase the cost of living by 0.7 per cent, which is about 70 cents in every $100 spent. This ...
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What can I do if I think a shopkeeper or business has raised their prices too much?
You should contact the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) if you think a business is attributing significant price rises to the carbon price. The ACCC will investigate businesses’ carbon ...
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Can businesses put up their prices after 1 July?
Yes, some businesses may choose to pass additional costs associated with the carbon price on to customers, but these price rises should be modest. The law also says that businesses ...
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How will the Government help Australian businesses remain competitive?
The Australian Government is committed to keeping the Australian economy strong and is supporting Australian businesses and industry through the transition to a clean energy future. The Government has set ...
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Will the carbon price hurt Australian businesses and jobs?
The economy will be largely unaffected by the carbon price – industries employing more than 90 per cent of the workforce account for less than 10 per cent of emissions. ...
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What can I do if I think a shop or business has raised their prices unfairly?
You should contact the ACCC if you think a business is attributing significant price rises to the carbon price. The ACCC will investigate businesses’ carbon claims and has the power ...
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Why does the carbon price impact grocery prices?
The cost of some groceries will be passed on from businesses however; the overall price increases to consumers will be modest. Carbon pricing will change the relative prices of goods ...
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Can businesses increase their prices because of the carbon price?
Yes, some businesses may choose to pass additional costs associated with the carbon price onto customers. However, the law says that businesses must not make false, misleading or deceptive claims ...
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What is the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA)?
ARENA, commencing operations on 1 July, will incorporate measures currently managed by the Australian Solar Institute, the Australian Centre for Renewable Energy, and the Department of Resources, Energy and Tourism.
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Why are we taking action when other countries aren’t doing anything?
Australia is joining over 89 countries, representing 80 per cent of global emissions and 90 per cent of the world's economy, which have already pledged to take action on climate ...
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Will Australia’s be the world’s biggest carbon tax?
Four other countries have a carbon price higher than Australia’s. As it rolls out, Australia’s carbon trading scheme will be about one fifth the size of Europe’s. Other countries have carbon ...
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How will coal mining companies be affected by the carbon price?
The majority of Australian coal mines do not release significant amounts of greenhouse gases and will only have small liabilities under a carbon price. A number of mines, however, do ...
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What if businesses mislead customers about increases in their prices?
Businesses that make claims about the impact of the carbon price may be required to provide information to the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) that support those claims. For ...
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Who are Australia’s biggest polluters?
The carbon price mechanism will cover facilities which directly release more than 25,000 tonnes of carbon pollution a year into the atmosphere. The government has estimated that Australia's biggest polluters will be ...
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I’m single and earning around $30,000 a year. How will the carbon price affect me?
Singles on low and middle incomes will get tax cuts to help them with the expected increase in living costs. Some low-income households might not receive enough assistance through tax ...
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I’m on a pension. How will I be affected?
Age pensioners will receive assistance worth at least the expected increase in living costs. Pensioners will receive an amount of assistance equivalent to a 1.7 per cent increase in the ...
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How will the introduction of a carbon price affect my tax return?
Following the introduction of a carbon price, more than 1 million Australians will be freed from having to lodge a tax return.
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Do I need to apply for household assistance?
No, almost all eligible households will get financial assistance automatically as tax cuts, higher Family Tax Benefits and increases in pensions and allowances. For more information on Household Assistance — ...
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How many Australian households will receive assistance?
Nine in 10 households will receive some combination of tax cuts and increased payments to help them with the cost of living impact of the carbon price. Over 4 million households ...
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Will I have to pay the carbon price?
No, it’s not a tax on households or small businesses - Australia's biggest polluters will be required to pay for their pollution under the carbon pricing mechanism. They account for around 60 ...
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Where will the money raised from the carbon price go?
More than half of the money raised will be used to assist households. The majority of households will receive tax cuts, increased assistance payments or both. With the rest of ...
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What assistance will be provided to remote Indigenous communities to improve energy efficiency?
Remote Indigenous communities will be given assistance to access clean, affordable and reliable 24-hour power supplies which will contribute to improvements in health, education and long-term economic viability.
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What will the Expanding Low Carbon Communities program fund?
Yes. Funding for the program, which helps communities and councils improve energy efficiency, will be increased from $80 million to $330 million and extended to assist low income households in ...
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What assistance will businesses get to reduce their energy costs?
The Government will help businesses improve their energy efficiency through a range of measures including the $1.2 billion Clean Technology Program.
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Will the Renewable Energy Target be continued?
Yes. The Renewable Energy Target will ensure that 20 per cent of Australia’s electricity comes from renewable sources by 2020.
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How will research and development into renewable energy be encouraged?
A new independent body will be created to coordinate over $3 billion in existing research grants to support business investment in clean energy research.
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How much new funding is being given to the renewable energy industry?
The new $10 billion Clean Energy Finance Corporation will invest in large scale renewable energy proposals and unlock significant new private investment into clean energy projects.
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Why are we taking action when other countries aren’t doing anything?
Australia is joining over 90 countries—representing 80 per cent of global emissions and 90 per cent of the world’s economy—which have already pledged to take action on climate change.
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Will people lose their jobs because of the carbon price?
The Government is using around 40 per cent of the funds raised by the carbon price to support jobs and industry competitiveness. The remainder of the funds will be used ...
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How can we be sure that it will reduce carbon pollution?
Businesses will be motivated to cut their carbon pollution bill by reducing the pollution they produce.
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How will a carbon price work?
A carbon price will mean polluters have to pay for their pollution—this makes polluting activities more expensive and provides businesses with an incentive to create new, cleaner ways of operating.
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Why do we need a carbon price?
A carbon price encourages businesses to look for ways to reduce their carbon pollution and encourages the development of clean energy technologies.
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Why do we need to reduce carbon pollution?
Carbon pollution is the main cause of climate change, which is threatening our environment, our food production and our way of life.
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When does the fixed carbon price move to a flexible price?
The carbon price will move automatically to an emissions trading scheme on 1 July 2015. From this date the carbon price will no longer be fixed by the Government but ...
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What is the carbon price and will it increase over time?
The carbon price will start at $23 a tonne in 2012-13. In each of the next two years it will rise in line with inflation to $24.15 in 2013-14 and ...
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Which greenhouse gases will be covered?
The carbon price will cover four of the six greenhouse gases counted under the Kyoto Protocol: carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide and perfluorocarbons from aluminium smelting. The other two gases, ...
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Which industries don’t have to pay the carbon price?
The carbon price does not apply to agricultural emissions and will only be paid by Australia's biggest polluters.
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Who will pay the carbon price?
The carbon price will be paid by Australia's biggest polluters and will cover electricity generation, some business transport, waste, industrial processes and fugitive emissions.
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How does the carbon price help with climate change?
The polluters which pay the carbon price will be motivated to reduce their carbon pollution, and will be more likely to use clean energy technologies that have become more affordable ...
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What help is there for the business community?
The Government will help industries strongly affected by the carbon price to support jobs and competitiveness. Help will also be given to businesses to manage the cost impacts of a ...
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How will the carbon price affect my small business?
The Government will help small businesses by increasing the instant asset write off for any new asset that is worth up to $6,500 for businesses that upgrade their equipment. The ...
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What help will be given to regions that are dependent on coal mines and power stations?
Regional communities that may be strongly affected by the carbon price will be given help that best suits their needs. This includes support for affected small businesses, community development programs, ...
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How will metal forging and foundry businesses be affected by the carbon price?
The Government will provide grants to help the metal forging and foundry industry invest in energy efficient equipment and low emission technologies, processes and products.
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How will the food processing industry be affected by the carbon price?
The Government will provide grants to help the food processing industry invest in energy efficient equipment and low emission technologies, processes and products.
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What is the Government’s new long-term greenhouse gas reduction target?
The Government’s long-term target for carbon pollution reduction has been raised from 60 per cent to 80 per cent below 2000 levels by 2050.
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What role does agriculture play in a clean energy future?
The Carbon Farming Initiative will provide economic rewards for farmers and landholders who take steps to reduce carbon pollution by creating credits for each tonne of carbon pollution which is ...
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How will the steel industry be affected by the carbon price?
The Government will provide assistance in the key measures. The Steel Transformation Plan, worth $300 million over four years will encourage investment and innovation that improves the Australian steel industry’s ...
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How will retirees be affected?
Self-funded retirees who have a Commonwealth Seniors Health Card will receive the same amount of assistance as age pensioners. Self-funded retirees may also benefit from tax cuts.
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How will I get the direct financial assistance?
Household assistance will be provided through tax cuts, higher Family Tax Benefits and increases in pensionsand allowances.
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Which households will get assistance?
Nine in 10 households will receive a combination of tax cuts and increased payments to help them with the cost of living.
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I’m single and earning about $30,000 a year. How will the carbon price affect me?
Singles on low and middle incomes will get tax cuts to help them with the expected increase in living costs.
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I’m at university, how will the carbon price affect me?
Student and jobseeker allowances will be increased, starting before the carbon price with a lump sum payment in May-June 2012.
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Will I get assistance for essential medical equipment?
People with a Commonwealth concession card who have high home energy costs because of essential medical equipment can claim an additional payment of $140 through Centrelink to assist with the ...
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What help will carers and people with disability get?
Carers and people with a disability will receive a payment increases worth at least the expected increase in living costs.
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I’m on a pension, how will I be affected?
Age pensioners will receive assistance worth at least the expected increase in living costs.
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Do I need to apply for household assistance?
No, almost all eligible households will get financial assistance automatically as tax cuts, higher Family Tax Benefits and increases in pensions and allowances.
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We have a mortgage and two kids at school, how will the carbon price affect us?
Millions of families will get financial assistance as tax cuts, higher Family Tax Benefits and increases in pensions and allowances. Payment assistance will start before the carbon price with a ...
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Will the carbon price be put on petrol?
There will no carbon price on petrol or diesel for passenger cars and other light on-road vehicles.
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Will gas prices go up too?
The carbon price is expected to increase gas prices by $1.50 a week for the average household.
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Will my electricity prices go up?
The carbon price is expected to increase electricity prices by $3.30 a week for the average household.
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But won’t businesses just pass on the costs?
Some businesses will pass on the carbon price. That’s why households will be given a combination of tax cuts and payments to help them with increased prices from the carbon ...
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Will I have to pay the carbon price?
No, it is not a tax on households. Australia's biggest polluters will be required to pay for their pollution. They account for more than 60 per cent of our carbon pollution.
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Won’t everything become more expensive?
Some businesses will pass on the carbon price, leading to modest rises in prices. 9 in 10 households will receive a combination of tax cuts and increased payments to help ...
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How much assistance will I get?
The average assistance will be $10.10 a week more than covering the average cost of living increase of $9.90 per week.
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