AEC assurances sought ahead of WA poll

Federal parliament will seek assurances from the Australian Electoral Commission ahead of Western Australia's Senate poll re-run.

A joint parliamentary committee hearing in Canberra on Wednesday will continue its investigation into the AEC's loss of 1370 ballot papers in the west after the September federal election, which has sparked a subsequent poll.

Former Australian Federal Police commissioner Mick Keelty, who led an AEC inquiry into the matter, will appear before the committee, where the commission will also be asked to confirm that his recommendations have been implemented.

The recommendations focus on parcelling, labelling, transporting and storage of ballot papers.

The AEC says it has already implemented the key suggestions from Mr Keelty.

Elsewhere in Canberra's political sphere, debate about legislative changes to the Qantas Sales Act is expected to dominate proceedings.

The government faces opposition from Labor and the Australian Greens to its plans to allow greater foreign ownership of the airline's domestic arm.