A planned crackdown on superannuation tax concessions for wealthy Australians is threatening to become an election issue amid "white hot" anger amongst coalition supporters.
The free-market think tank Institute of Public Affairs is preparing to campaign against the measures, which include capping at $A1.6 million the tax-free balance of retirement accounts.
As Labor maintains its focus on education, announcing new conditions on its pledge to fund the outer years of the Gonski schools programme, the coalition is under fire over retirement savings.
IPA executive director John Rosa said emails had been flowing in from members, furious with the proposed super changes announced in the May 3 budget.
"Phrases that people have used with me include disappointed, devastated, white hot with anger," he told ABC radio on Wednesday.
Critics, including former deputy prime minister Mark Vaile, say the measures are retrospective - something that never would have been contemplated during his time in the Howard government.
"Superannuation has just become an issue which is tampered with too much and people can't keep up with the changes," he said.
Finance Minister Mathias Cormann says the government is standing by its plan, arguing it was not retrospective because it only applied to future earnings.
In a campaign devoid of major policy announcements, both the coalition and Labor have been forced to address side issues.
Labor leader Bill Shorten will use a visit to Mackay, in the central Queensland seat of Herbert, to emphasise its education policy.
He will announce that schools will need to have a proven strategy to lift student results if they want to get their hands on federal funding.
Labor will also pledge $A4.6 million to identify effective targeted-teaching resources.
Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull will campaign in western Sydney, in a move derided by Labor.
"You know it's an election when Malcolm Turnbull is in western Sydney," opposition frontbencher Tony Burke told ABC radio.
Mr Turnbull will attend a morning tea with mothers in Penrith where he will likely tell them how the superannuation changes benefit them.
