THE TASMANIAN Greens have said the state's budget woes are no excuse for stalling a human rights charter.
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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.''