The Federal Government says it will not be introducing a human rights act in Australia, but will release a new framework.

An act was recommended by the national human rights consultation panel headed by law professor Father Frank Brennan.

Attorney-General Robert McClelland says all new bills introduced to Parliament will have to be compatible with Australia's international human rights obligations.

But he says the Government believes a human rights framework, rather than legislation, is more appropriate.

"The Government believes that the enhancement of human rights should be done in a way that as far as possible unites rather than divides our community, and the framework is designed to achieve that outcome," he said.

"Nevertheless, as you'll see, the framework does reflect the key recommendations of the human rights consultation committee and we believe [it] will make a real difference."

Father Brennan says he is disappointed by the Government's decision.

"In the long run the question will be whether or not politicians, when dealing with complex and controversial issues such as asylum seekers or Aboriginal rights or detention questions with security, whether or not they'll be sufficiently faithful to those obligations when there's not the prospect of some judicial oversight," he said.

Father Brennan says there will be a compelling case for a human rights act if the changes announced today are not proving to be effective.

"Obviously the Government has made a major commitment in response to what we've said about the need for further education on human rights, and with further education there may indeed be a greater groundswell of pressure on both major political parties to look at something like a federal human rights act," he said.

The Australian Human Rights Commission also expressed its disappointment at the Government's decision not to adopt a human rights act.

Commission president Catherine Branson says the new measures are welcome but a human rights act is still needed.

"We must be concerned about abuse against children, abuse of the elderly in their frail and vulnerable years," she said.

"We know that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people do not enjoy equal health and equal education outcomes with others.

"We know there are real problems in people with a disability participating in our community and there are others."

'Waste of money'

Meanwhile, shadow attorney-general George Brandis says the Rudd Government has wasted $2 million promoting a concept which never had community support.

Senator Brandis says the Opposition has always opposed the bill of rights as a dangerous and foolish idea.

"Robert McClelland nailed his flag well and truly to the charter of rights mast and he's been humiliated by his own cabinet," he said.

"The Opposition is well pleased that this idea will not go ahead, but an enormous amount of time, energy and public money was wasted in pursuing it."