Boosting the retirement savings of women is set to become an election issue with Labor rolling out a new policy to improve women's superannuation, and the coalition laying claim to helping even the playing field.
Women on maternity leave or juggling several low-paid jobs would be paid superannuation under the $400 million Labor plan.
But prime minister Scott Morrison says the government has already made a range of changes that have boosted women's super, including one worth $500 million, and could make women's savings more secure if Labor backed further reforms.
Women retire on average with $113,000 less in their super than men, a gulf of 40 per cent.
Deputy opposition leader Tanya Plibersek unveiled her party's policy on Wednesday, saying too many Australian women retire in poverty.
"This policy's a real cracker for women," Ms Plibersek told AAP.
The prime minister says the coalition has already acted on the issue, including through its low income superannuation tax offset.
Mr Morrison said the offset - which applies to both genders - will put an extra $500 million into the superannuation savings of 1.9 million women and is not the only measure the government has taken.
"Our government has acted to provide catch up contributions for women," he told parliament on Wednesday.
"Our government has acted for those women starting their own businesses, those working from home, to now access the superannuation tax concessions that others can access."
The prime minister said it would also be in the interests of women for Labor to back reforms, currently before parliament, aimed at preventing superannuation rorts.
Labor said it would pay superannuation on parental leave and the two-week dad and partner leave payment.
The party is also looking to phase out the $450 minimum monthly threshold for eligibility for the superannuation guarantee, helping people in part-time and casual work.
Ms Plibersek said more people - particularly women - were working various low-paid jobs to make ends meet.
"So many more people are working two or three or four casual part-time jobs," she said.
"We think you should get your superannuation on those smaller pay packets as well."
Australian Super has welcomed Labor's plan, with chief executive Ian Silk calling action to address the super gender gap "long overdue".
"'Paying the superannuation guarantee on parental leave is an effective and common sense step to help boost retirement savings for women."
Australian Council of Trade Unions president Michele O'Neil welcomed Labor's announcement, but argued the threshold should be scrapped immediately.
"Every year this reform is phased in means another year where women are not paid superannuation on every dollar they are working hard for," she said.
Australian Associated Press
