Laws seek to head off Mediscare campaign

The ALP could face hefty fines if it seeks to replicate its so-called 'Mediscare' text message campaign at the next federal next election.

Coalition MPs on Tuesday approved new laws - which still have to pass through parliament - making it an offence to impersonate a commonwealth entity.

Existing laws ban the impersonation of a commonwealth official and aren't made to deal with scenarios like Labor sending out text messages that could be interpreted as coming from the Medicare agency.