Such a move would be a seismic shift - earnings within the fund are currently taxed at a maximum of 15 percent, except for retirees in the pension phase where earnings are not taxed.

Even if Senator Hanson-Young was talking about contributions, she still got it wrong.

The Greens official superannuation policy would only see the tax rate on contributions rise for people on incomes above $100,000 a year, but would still be below their marginal income tax rate.

Trying to clarify later in the interview, Senator Hanson-Young also mixed up whether her party's policy applied to contributions or earnings.