payments of unused dividend imputation tax credits.

The payments were introduced by the Howard government, and allow share market investors to make use of credits for company tax paid in creating their dividends to receive the credits in cash.

The Coalition has scored political points among its supporters by describing Labor's proposal to end cash payments of unused dividends is a "retiree tax". ( Facebook )

It is a "retiree tax" only to the extent that self-managed superannuation funds that don't pay tax in the retirement phase make use of them and superannuants who don't pay tax because superannuation income is tax free make use of them.

Chair of the House Economics Committee, Liberal MP Tim Wilson, has conducted hearings around the country on the "retiree tax", while operating a website entitledsomething with which to entertain itself. Mr Shorten's gaffe was the reason week one of the campaign was judged to have been won by the Prime Minister, who labelled Mr Shorten a liar.

Now both sides are accusing the other of planning a "death tax".

The reality is that neither side is planning one, despite it being an efficient and worthwhile addition to the tax system.

New political movements are growing

Outside of government, we now have the "Save our Super" group, formed in opposition to the superannuation tax increases imposed by the Turnbull government, and this year a "Self Managed Super Fund Party" which didn't register in time to field candidates.

Each illustrates the power of age-based privilege.

The "retiree tax," the "super lie", "Save our Super" and the "SMSF Party", all coalesce