The Turnbull government is playing down the idea of a threat from foreign spies to five upcoming by-elections, but is still stressing the need to urgently pass foreign interference laws.
Attorney-General Christian Porter named the by-election date as a key reason for parliament to pass the legislation as soon as possible, saying it was "utterly critical" the regime was in place before July 28.
However, Defence Industry Minister Christopher Pyne dismissed suggestions the by-elections could be compromised by interference from foreign spies.
"These laws and the by-elections are not linked at all," Mr Pyne told the Nine Network, adding there was "no rush" to pass the legislation.
Labor frontbencher Anthony Albanese laughed off fears about spooks meddling in the July 28 contests.
"Any idea that somehow there is foreign interference in these by-elections is a headline looking for some substance," he said.
Mr Porter has since talked down the by-election link, but insists the laws are urgently needed given warnings from the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation in recent months about "unprecedented" levels of interference.
He argued that each day the laws aren't passed Australia becomes more vulnerable.
"The problem is manifest, it's acute, and it's evolving at a rapid rate and has evolved over the past 12 months," Mr Porter told reporters in Perth.
ASIO chief Duncan Lewis last month warned a Senate committee foreign actors were trying to access classified information about Australia's global alliances and military, economic and energy systems.
A bipartisan deal was struck on Thursday to pass amended legislation targeting secret attempts by foreign spies to influence Australia's politicians, media and diaspora communities.
The ASIO annual report released last year said it had identified a number of states and other actors conducting espionage and foreign interference against Australia.
As well, ethnic and religious communities in Australia were the subject of "covert influence operations" designed to diminish their criticism of foreign governments.
While the government insisted the new laws aren't aimed at a specific country, they have sparked diplomatic tensions with China.
Mr Porter is also pushing ahead with laws forcing people acting on behalf of foreign powers to register or face criminal charges
Changes to the draft laws would no longer ensnare people working for charities, companies or universities, capturing only organisations or individuals working at the direction of a foreign government or political party.
Mr Porter and Foreign Minister Julie Bishop want parliament to pass two foreign influence bills during the next sitting period, which begins on June 18.
"Given the advice we have received from the intelligence community we should get on with it as soon as possible," Ms Bishop said.
Greens senator Nick McKim claimed the laws will erode people's basic freedoms.
But Liberal MP Andrew Hastie, who chairs the intelligence committee, detailed the threat posed by foreign agents.
Mr Hastie said Australia's membership of the so-called "five eyes" intelligence alliance made the country a "soft underbelly" for authoritarian regimes trying to steal US secrets.
