The federal government has officially rejected the call of a major United Nations review of Australia's human rights record to reconsider the mandatory detention of asylum seekers.
Australia was this year required to undergo its first so-called Universal Periodic Review (UPR), conducted by the UN Human Rights Council.
All of the UN's 192 member countries are required to undergo a UPR, which aims to probe every aspect of a country's human rights record, every four years.
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About 50 countries participated in Australia's review and made 145 recommendations, urging better treatment of asylum seekers, Aboriginal people and same-sex couples.
The government's response to the review, released on Monday, accepts in whole or part almost 90 per cent of the recommendations.
But it rejects calls for changes to the detention and treatment of asylum seekers.
"The Australian government considers mandatory detention an essential component of strong border control, which manages risks to the community," the response says.
"Mandatory detention is based on unauthorised arrival and not on individuals seeking asylum."
The government said it took care to ensure people in detention were treated with dignity and respect.
No human rights act
The government also rejected calls for a comprehensive national Human Rights Act.
"The Australian government considers that existing mechanisms, together with new requirements under Australia's Human Rights Framework, provide for the protection and promotion of human rights," it said.
The government pledged to systemically review its reservations to various human rights treaties.
It also said it was exploring the possibility of appointing a national children's commissioner.
Foreign Minister Kevin Rudd said the government would work with the international community to promote and protect fundamental human rights at home and across the world.
"Australia has a strong human rights record and this was acknowledged by many countries on the Human Rights Council," Mr Rudd said in a statement.
"The Universal Periodic Review is a good opportunity to demonstrate that when it comes to human rights, equality and opportunity, we can always achieve more."
