Capping super balances is a logical fight to have in a country that prides itself on equality – but logic isn’t the default

‘The policy objective is trying to limit the cost of generous tax concessions while returning super to its original purpose: providing income for a dignified retirement.’ Photograph: Lukas Coch/AAP

In the nine months since Anthony Albanese claimed victory, we have seen the treasurer, Jim Chalmers, make two modest attempts at making the budget something other than a magic pudding.

The first involved the stage-three tax cuts. Before the October budget Chalmers attempted to create some room for trimming a package that’s unaffordable and regressive. Things got hot, and Albanese ended the first round of that conversation.