Australia is resisting global pressure to slap sanctions on the military junta in Myanmar despite major allies punishing the regime.
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Hundreds have been killed by security forces since a February coup with thousands jailed, daily protests and paralysing strikes plunging Myanmar into chaos.
The United States, United Kingdom, Canada and the European Union have sanctioned military leaders and other key figures with ties to the junta.
Almost 400 civil society organisations last month urged Foreign Minister Marise Payne, condemning the government's "shameful inaction".
Senator Payne said no countries in Australia's region had used sanctions, with the government remaining focused on an Association of Southeast Asian Nations-led solution.
"Our consideration is not to impose them at this time. It's not our view that they would advance our interests," she told Senate estimates on Thursday.
The foreign minister said the situation was under regular review.
"If there is a decision to impose sanctions we will do that if it's appropriate and if it's in the national interest to do so."
Former Human Rights Commissioner Chris Sidoti urged the government to implement sanctions.
"The time has come for acting, not more reviewing," he told AAP.
Mr Sidoti, who was a member of the United Nations fact-finding mission on Myanmar from 2017 to 2019, said ASEAN had shown itself as incapable of achieving outcomes.
"The time has come for Australia to take action alongside its traditional democratic partners rather than following the lead of authoritarian states like Cambodia, Vietnam and Laos," he said.
"Our traditional partners have sanctioned 38 generals and their associates and 17 military and associated businesses. Australia simply has to act now."
Greens senator Janet Rice criticised the government for failing to follow the lead of key international allies.
"The current situation is extraordinarily disappointing and really quite dismissive of the calls from a huge range of civil society organisations," she said.
Senator Payne rejected suggestions the government had brushed off concerns from organisations calling for sanctions.
"I absolutely disagree with you that this is dismissive," she said.
"Sanctions are one aspect of potential response, they are not everything. But I respect the views of those who suggest they believe they should be imposed."
The government has steered aid away from the military, stopped defence cooperation and supported ASEAN's humanitarian agency with $5 million.
Australian Associated Press
