Work has stalled on creating the charter, and associated commission, because of budget constraints.

About 200 people responded to a discussion paper that the Justice Department released in October 2010.

However, since submissions closed a year ago little has happened.

Attorney-General Brian Wightman, who took over the portfolio in May, said a human rights charter would add another $1 million a year to his department's costs.

This would pay for setting up a Human Rights Commission to replace the Anti-Discrimination Commission, as well as a Human Rights Unit to provide specialist advice to the government and associated public relations.

``In the context of the current budgetary position the government remains committed to human rights protection, but sees the charter project as one which can only be progressed as the budgetary position improves,'' Mr Wightman said.

The cost would be in addition to the $1.17 million spent this financial year on Tasmania's Anti-discrimination Commission.

However, Anti-discrimination Commissioner Robin Banks says her role could be expanded to address human rights complaints at minimal additional cost.

``I'm disappointed with the lack of progress on this when there are models that could be progressed now that are less costly (than setting up a new commission),'' she said.

``The question is do we think human rights are as important as the economy?''

She acknowledged it was difficult for the government to suggest setting up a new, costly agency at the same time it was cutting costs elsewhere.

A government spokeswoman said other, more important legislation would still go ahead this year despite budget cuts.