The man chosen by Treasurer Joe Hockey to lead the review of the nation's tax system has publicly criticised the British government's "Google tax", the inspiration for the Coalition's looming crackdown on multinational profit shifting.

Robert Jeremenko, who is running the tax white paper process in Mr Hockey's office, described the British government's "Google tax" late last year as a media-friendly "soundbite" that could undermine global efforts to tackle multinational tax avoidance.

Joe Hockey was more amenable to the idea of curbing excessive superannuation tax concessions. Credit:Graham Denholm

On Sunday Mr Hockey said Australia "can learn a lot from what the British are doing with their so-called Google tax", and announced that Australian officials would travel to Britain to work on the implementation of the 25 per cent tax on profits diverted out of the country.

Mr Hockey said Australia did not need to introduce a new tax and it is understood the government believes it can achieve similar results by broadening the existing tax base.