Former politicians lobbying for foreign-owned companies or governments, and people trying to disrupt Australia's democracy, will face stricter controls after Parliament passed new laws.

The Federal Government had urged Parliament to vote on the legislation before a suite of by-elections across the country on July 28.

Despite the bipartisan support for the foreign interference bills, allowing them to be rushed through the Senate, the Federal Opposition has criticised the volume of amendments required after examination from Parliament's powerful intelligence and security committee.

The new laws strengthen foreign espionage offences, and would also force people working for foreign companies and governments to declare their activities.

Former Cabinet ministers, politicians, staffers and public servants would be subject to even more stringent reporting responsibilities, given their access to the upper echelons of the political and business class.

Amendments to the original proposal had been made to exempt charities from being captured by the laws, as well as arts organisations.

"This legislation, at it's heart, declares that this Parliament will not allow interference in our elections or in our democratic processes," Senator Wong told the Upper House during the debate.

"We will not allow these to be subject to foreign interference, and we will not allow the covert subversion of our politics by foreign interests.

"That objective should be an objective held across this Parliament."

The Greens conceded there was a need to safeguard against "malicious foreign interference", but the party's legal spokesman Nick McKim argued the legislation presented was "draconian" and served to "clamp down on dissent".

Senator McKim criticised the major parties for trying to rush the legislation through the Senate.

"Ultimately, it is the country and the Australian people who are going to be the losers," he argued.

"Because Labor has decided to sacrifice them on the altar of political expediency.

"It is gutless and cowardly politics."

Attorney-General Christian Porter wanted the legislation dealt with before voters in Longman in Queensland, Braddon in Tasmania, Mayo in South Australia, and Perth and Fremantle in Western Australia went to the polls in by-elections.