More needs to be done to ensure fundamental human rights are protected for all Australians, including freedom of religion.

However, if new laws are introduced it must not result in an erosion of current legislation that protects human rights, like those implemented in the ACT and Victoria.

The ACT is ahead of the curve when it comes to laws protecting basic human rights, after the welcome introduction of the ACT Human Rights Act in 2004.

Victoria followed suit in 2006 with the Charter of Human Rights and Responsibilities Act.

However the absence of statutory human rights instruments at a national level means other Australians receive inadequate protection.

In a recent submission to the panel on religious freedom, chaired by Philip Ruddock, the ACT Human Rights Commission asked the panel to ensure Canberrans would be better, and not worse off, if new protections were introduced nationally.