In delivering its first budget, the Rudd Government has signaled some improvement for human rights but there is still more to do says Amnesty International.

While it has signed off on some important election promises the government's ambitious plans to tackle Indigenous disadvantage require significant funding in the future and a comprehensive approach to all areas of Indigenous health and housing.

"While Amnesty International welcomes the government’s $1.2 billion commitment over 5 years to close the gap between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians, we encourage the government to extend this to a comprehensive plan rather than take a piece-meal approach," says National Director, Claire Mallinson.

"The Budget only appears to tick off on election promises even though the government’s Close the Gap Statement of Intent commits to a long-term evidence-based plan capable of addressing existing inequalities.

"Election promises must be converted into a long term plan to realise the government’s ambition to close the gap. The budget announcements are not enough to address this crisis."

In response to the ongoing funding of the Northern Territory Emergency Response throughout 2008-2009, Amnesty International hopes this does not pre-empt the Government's election commitment to the review of the Response.

Amnesty International welcomes the government abolition of Temporary Protection Visa regime. By ensuring all recognised refugees will now receive permanent protection Australia has taken a significant step towards reaffirming itself as a country that respects the human rights for some of the world's most vulnerable individuals.

"Since the inception of the TPV regime in late 1999 thousands of recognised refugees have had to endure a life of limbo, unnecessarily separated from their family, before finally being granted permanent protection," says Claire Mallinson.

"By ensuring all recognised refugees will now receive permanent protection Australia has taken a significant step towards reaffirming itself as a country that respects the human rights for some of the world’s most vulnerable individuals.

"The government has again demonstrated its commitment for durable solutions for refugees by increasing the intake of offshore refugees who are at extreme risk around the world.

"The government has committed to 500 additional offshore refugee places specifically for Iraqis in 2008-2009 and an additional 750 places in the Special Humanitarian Program in subsequent years. This will begin to address the decline in the refugee program as a component of Australia’s overall immigration intake."

The government’s allocation of $10 million for displaced people in Iraq in 2008-09 through the Displaced Persons and Refugee Fund is a welcome acknowledgement of Australia’s moral obligation to address the protracted humanitarian situation in Iraq and neighboring countries.

While we welcome the government’s commitment to re-develop Villawood Immigration Detention Centre after Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission's (HREOC) recent damming report, development of the Christmas Island Detention Centre when the government is aware of the detrimental effects of long-term detention is unconscionable.

The government's commitment to detaining unauthorised boat arrivals on Christmas Island is also incompatible with 'providing refugees with a fair and certain outcome'.

Amnesty International welcomes the $2.8 million commitment to a national consultation on a Bill of Rights Act to protect human rights under threat. This funding under the Attorney-General's portfolio will provide a valuable forum to progress rights protections that many Australians assume they already have.

"Unfortunately the first Rudd Budget has, while making a commitment to some human rights, slashed the budget of Australia’s independent human rights institution HREOC by over 10% for 2008-2009.

"This is deeply concerning as human rights institution such as HREOC play a critical role in improving human rights for all Australians and must have increased capacity to provide the evidence-base to address human rights abuse," says Claire Mallinson.