Senior finance lecturer at the University of New England Dr John Anderson welcomed the proposed superannuation tax concessions for people earning more than $180,000 and said the move was long overdue and something that has “not really been fair” in the past.

The Coalition is planning to put a 30 per cent tax on super contributions for workers earning $180,000 or more, reeling it in from the current threshold of $300,000.

“If I own a house and I’m earning over $250,000 ... I could whack a huge chunk into super, reducing taxable income by a huge amount,” Dr Anderson said.

He said the move could have positive flow-on effects for the broader economy.

“That engineer or doctor that was putting that money into super could be investing that money into other things,” he said.

Dr Anderson said the proposed tax cut for workers on $80,000 or more would deliver very little.

“While it does address bracket creep, which we do need to keep an eye on, it seems like a token thing,” Dr Anderson said.

“It does mean more money in the pocket for some, which might make a difference for some families in being able to go out and have breakfast at a cafe.”