"Again from the Rudd Government we have seen all talk, and no action," said Senator Hanson-Young at the Legal and Constitutional Affairs Estimates hearing today.

"$2.8 million has been pledged in funding, but it is clear from what the Attorney-General's Department said today that the Government would rather dodge questions as to what the process for this 'broad-based
community consultation' will be, or its terms of reference.

"No consultants have yet been contracted, and no human rights experts have been formally engaged to date.

"While we have been regaled with promises, enshrining human rights in Australian law is not sounding like much of a priority for the Government. In fact, it's all sounding a bit hollow."

Senator Hanson-Young expressed concern over the Government's assertion that outcomes of the consultation process would not be presupposed, given that Labor has categorically ruled out enshrining a Bill of Rights
in Australia's Constitution.

"This pre-determined consultation does not look promising," she said.

"It's hard to believe that the Government would seriously consider options that do not fit within Labor policy.

"This $2.8 million promise is shaping up to be a cheap veneer being glossed over the noble cause of prioritising human rights."

Senator Hanson-Young said the Greens would keep a close eye on the Government's progress on human rights consultation.

"The Greens will continue to keep tabs on the Government's timeframes and delivery of details on this supposed Budget priority," she said.

"It is nothing less than human rights that we are talking about here, after all."