Tougher penalties for offences against the Electoral Act have been called by a federal parliamentary committee.

Liberals distributing fake pamphlets, which were damaging to Labor, in the seat of Lindsay during the last federal election received a report from the committee.

The recommendation is to increase the penalty for an individual from $1,000 to more than $6,000 and to $33,000 for an organisation.

The report is welcome by the Special Minister of State, Joe Ludwig, and he will consider the recommendations.

Senator Ludwig said that in Australian political history, the events in Lindsay were one of the least savory episodes.

Committee member Liberal Senator Scott Ryan said, "These events were not a proud moment in Australian electoral history."