Inquiry into texting, foreign donations

A parliamentary inquiry will look into whether text messages sent during the federal election campaign should have been restricted and the extent and impact of foreign donations.

Some voters received texts said to be from Medicare, used by Labor as part of its "Mediscare" campaign that claimed the coalition intended to privatise the national health system.

The inquiry into the 2016 election will investigate whether "truth in advertising" provisions should have applied to the text messages, along with whether they should have been authorised by political parties.

Liberal party chief Tony Nutt labelled Mediscare a "cold-blooded" lie.

The inquiry will also look at foreign donations and options to regulate them, after it was revealed Labor powerbroker Sam Dastyari asked a Chinese donor to foot a personal travel debt.

The issue cost the rising Labor star his frontbench position and sparked calls for changes to donation rules.

The inquiry will also investigate whether technology could be used to improve voting and counting, after it was reported a number of defence force personnel were on assignment and didn't get to vote.

The inquiry will look into.

* Whether all forms of communication should be authorised by political parties.

* Applicability of 'truth in advertising' provisions for all communication to voters.

* New technology for voting, scrutiny and counting.

* The extent of donations from foreign sources, persons, entities and foreign-owned subsidiaries to political parties and associated entities.

* Options for parliament to regulate foreign donations.

* The donations, contributions, expenditure and disclosure regime and alternative processes.

* How much fundraising by third parties is conducted with registered political parties.

The committee will report on questions around text messages by December and on foreign donations by March.

Submissions will be accepted from the public until November 1.