Attorney-General Brian Wightman said the state could not afford a charter of human rights due to the state government's budget constraints.

Mr Wightman, who took over the portfolio in May, said the charter would add another $1 million to his department's costs.

He said this cost would pay for a Human Rights Commission to replace the Anti Discrimination Commission and a Human Rights Unit to provide specialist advice to government.

Greens leader Nick McKim said a financial value could not be put on human rights.

``Human rights are not a luxury to be looked after only in good economic times,'' Mr McKim said.

``The Greens believe it is especially in tough economic times that we must not lose sight of looking after the vulnerable in our community.''