Triggs attack won't harm UN bid: diplomat

Australia's top diplomat insists the government's attack on human rights chief Gillian Triggs won't damage the country's bid for a seat on a UN rights body.

Australia is currently lobbying for a spot on the UN Human Rights Council, with a vote due in 2017.

There's been speculation that the bid could be harmed by the government's public and bruising battle with Professor Triggs after her report into children in immigration detention.

But Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade secretary Peter Varghese doesn't think it will.

He said Australia had very strong human rights credentials and every intention of winning a seat.

"I don't believe anything that's happened in the last couple of days is going to diminish our prospects in any substantial manner," Mr Varghese told a Senate estimates hearing on Thursday.