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Australia's superannuation system is facing an overhaul, with the government looking at ways to block the early release of retirement money.

Treasurer Jim Chalmers proposed further protections for superannuation to safeguard retirement savings in a speech on Monday.

Australians pulled out about $36 billion from their retirement funds during the pandemic.

Dr Chalmers said the early withdrawal of billions was a "disastrous policy" from the former coalition government.

The coalition policy was intended to give a financial buffer to those impacted by COVID-19 shutdowns.

The government will work towards enshrining the definition of superannuation in law to preserve retirement savings.

"This made us vulnerable to wrong turns and wrong decisions," he said.

"It moved us further away from where we need to be - better living standards in retirement for as many Australians as possible."

The proposed definition is: "The objective of super is to preserve savings to deliver income for a dignified retirement, alongside government support, in an equitable and sustainable way".

The treasurer said legislating the definition would provide certainty and a common objective for super funds.

The government has also been considering changes to super tax concessions that can be used to amass wealth and are weighing on stretched government finances.

The consultation paper released on Monday said the focus on delivering income "makes clear that the purpose of superannuation is not for minimising tax on wealth accumulation or enabling retirees to leave tax-effective bequests".

The paper also outlines the importance of a "sustainable" superannuation system that "should be cost-effective for taxpayers in achieving retirement outcomes".

"While all Australians can save for their desired lifestyle in retirement, this outcome is influenced by personal circumstances and expectations and is ultimately constrained by the need for equity and sustainability in the system," the paper says.

"Beyond a certain level of income, additional government support through tax concessions is not necessary or appropriate."

Under concessional taxation rules on super, anybody can pay money into their super fund and it is taxed at 15 per cent, which is much less than the 45 per cent marginal rate high-income earners pay.

Some groups have been calling for a limit on how much can be saved within the super system to make the system fairer.

The Association of Superannuation Funds of Australia welcomed the proposed objective as "the next chapter in the Australian superannuation story".

ASFA chief executive officer Martin Fahy said the proposed objective placed preservation, retirement income, equity, sustainability and a dignified retirement at the heart of superannuation policy.

"The government has proposed an objective that can underpin much-needed policy stability and help anchor future policy debates in ensuring our age pension remains affordable, that superannuation savings are preserved to retirement and that the system delivers in an equitable manner for women and low-income earners," Dr Fahy said.

© AAP 2023

Gold Coast winger Alofiana Khan-Pereira had a hat-trick of tries inside 12 minutes as marquee No.6 signing Kieran Foran excelled to ruin the Dolphins' first ever home match and deliver the new NRL club a stark lesson.

Khan-Pereira later crossed for a fourth time as the Titans thrashed the Dolphins 40-16 in the NRL Pre-Season Challenge clash at Redcliffe's Kayo Stadium in what was a poor display by the home side.

The Dolphins have been written off in most quarters ahead of their inaugural season and this performance will only amplify the voices of the nay-sayers.

The mantra of "Put your 'phins up" boomed relentlessly around the stadium to 7206 fans before kick-off but it was the Titans who were up for the match.

The lack of defensive resolve early by Wayne Bennett's team was a huge concern. The Titans were playing up-tempo footy from the start and the Dolphins lacked cohesion.

The top squad has only trained together for six weeks but the Dolphins have a huge task ahead to be ready for the NRL season kick-off against the Roosters in a fortnight.

Dolphins captain Jesse Bromwich said the side "played like a team that had our first game together".

"Of course we need to be better," he said.

"We are not really happy with the way we performed. Our edge defence was pretty leaky at times ... and we'll work hard to make that better."

Gold Coast will enter the season with great hope. The signing of 2011 premiership winner Foran was always going to give them more direction, but his impact was astounding.

The Kiwi international has thrown thousands of over-the-top cut-out passes but his first to Khan-Pereira was wonderfully precise. Foran combined with centre Phil Sami and rampaging second-rower Beau Fermor for the flying winger's second and third tries.

Dolphins halves Anthony Milford and Sean O'Sullivan had nervous starts, with both making errors.

O'Sullivan failed to get his foot to a short kick and giant Titans back-rower David Fifita raced away to set up winger Jojo Fifita for a try. Dave then sent Jojo over for his second to give the Titans a 24-0 lead inside 24 minutes.

Dolphins hooker Jeremy Marshall-King put a bellringer of a tackle on Titans half Tanah Boyd to dislodge the ball and winger Jack Bostock scored. There was a lesson there for the Dolphins, one they barely heeded in the second half as the Titans made hay.

The form of Dolphins fullback Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow, and the nous of teenaged half Isaiya Katoa, when he came on, were bright spots in an otherwise forgettable display.

Bromwich said Tabuai-Fidow was a "special talent" and would only grow better at fullback.

© AAP 2023

Injured veteran David Warner's Test future remains uncertain after Australia suffered a second-straight humiliating defeat in India.

Warner was subbed out of the match before play on day two of the second Test in Delhi after suffering a concussion following a hit to the helmet on Friday.

During his scratchy 15 in the first innings, Warner was also hit on the elbow from a Mohammed Siraj delivery which left him requiring immediate medical attention.

Scans later revealed he suffered a small, but stable, fracture in his left elbow.

Team officials say the injury would not have prevented Warner from batting in the second innings had he not been ruled out of match with concussion.

Australia captain Pat Cummins said Warner was "sore and sorry" but he would be assessed by medical staff before a call is made on his fitness for the third Test, starting on March 1 in Indore.

"(Warner) came to the ground today for a fair while which is good, but we'll kind of assess him over the next little bit," Cummins said.

Long-time state and national teammate Nathan Lyon backed Warner to make a quick recovery.

"Obviously he's injured, concussed and a fracture in the arm and your spirits, dare say, go down a little bit," Lyon said after play on Saturday.

"But Davey is Davey, we love having him around the team.

"Talking to the medical staff, it's one of those ones where you could potentially play if you rest it over the next few days and we've got a decent break after this Test match.

"If he's recovered well, I wouldn't be surprised if you see him out there again."

Warner's position in the Test team was already under a cloud after he was down on form for the majority of the last three years.

He entered the Boxing Day Test in December - his 100th match - under extreme pressure to retain his spot.

But he scored a classic 200 to end a Test century drought dating back to January 2020 and book his spot for a third red-ball tour of India.

Complicating matters is Warner's replacement at the top of the order, Travis Head, started his Test opening career in devastating style.

After being dropped for the first Test in Nagpur based on his poor record in Asia, Head hit a team-high 43 in the second innings to give Australia a fighting chance.

Head was considered a liability at No.5 in Indian conditions, but appeared as comfortable batting in Delhi as he does in Australia during the 13 overs he has faced.

Speculation has surrounded Head potentially opening instead of Warner for weeks, but the Australian camp have disputed that has ever been a consideration.

"He was extremely confident coming into this game and that's the Trav I love," Cummins said.

"I'm really happy to see him out there competing the way he is at the moment, I thought he was absolutely exceptional.

"I think having Trav in the side in cricket all around the world in the Australian cricket team especially over the last 12 months or so, it's been bloody exciting to be a part of."

© AAP 2023