Former Cabinet ministers, ministers, staffers and senior public servants should face greater scrutiny for their lobbying activities once they leave office, according to Federal Parliament's powerful intelligence and security committee.

Key points: Intelligence and security committee recommended more than 50 changes to the bill

Intelligence and security committee recommended more than 50 changes to the bill It suggests tightening definition of foreign entity, making charities and arts organisations exempt

It suggests tightening definition of foreign entity, making charities and arts organisations exempt Andrew Hastie chaired the committee and presented its findings, said former ministers should be included

Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull's foreign interference legislation, aimed at forcing those lobbying on behalf of foreign governments to be put on a public register, has been scrutinised by the committee.

It presented its recommendations this morning, urging Parliament to adopt more than 50 changes to the bill.

They include tightening the definition of what is considered to be a foreign entity, and putting in place exemptions for charities and arts organisations.

Committee chair and Liberal backbencher Andrew Hastie said there should be added disclosure responsibilities for former ministers, politicians and senior public servants.

"This is appropriate as these former office holders continue to occupy positions of influence after leaving office in the Australian polity," Mr Hastie said.

"The committee has also recommended that these obligations extend to senior staff working for ministers."

Mr Hastie argued there should be further work done to establish a process for serving politicians and staffers to disclose approaches from lobbyists, acting on behalf of foreign powers.

"We cannot tolerate foreign influence activities that are in any way covert, coercive or corrupt," Mr Hastie told Parliament.

"When foreign influence is advanced through an intermediary, the source of the influence is disguised.

"In such circumstances, decision-makers and the public alike may be unaware of the influences being brought to bear on Australian government decision-making."

There had been concerns about the power to be given to the secretary of the Attorney-General's Department to list people or businesses as working for foreign interests even if they did not declare themselves.

The committee has recommended extra oversight of that power, to ensure procedural fairness.

Opposition, charities welcome 'common sense' changes

Shadow attorney-general and fellow committee member Mark Dreyfus welcomed the recommendations.

But he criticised the Government's initial draft of the legislation.

"Complex legislation that sets up new structures and defences with criminal sanctions to enforce compliance should not be rushed," he said.

Attorney-General Christian Porter said the Government would accept all recommendations of the committee, and promised to have amendments to the legislation ready this week.

Charities welcomed the changes to the legislation, describing it as "common sense".

"This exemption will ensure that charitable work is not unfairly targeted," Marc Purcell from the Australian Council for International Development said.

"We welcome the committee's collaboration in recognising our concerns."