Religious freedom review recommends strengthening anti-discrimination laws

FEDERAL anti-discrimination laws would be strengthened to better protect religious beliefs under recommendations handed to the Turnbull Government. But the highly anticipated religious freedom review recommends no changes to the Marriage Act.

FEDERAL anti-discrimination laws would be strengthened to better protect religious beliefs — and allow victims to have their day in court — under recommendations handed to the Turnbull Government.

But the highly anticipated religious freedom review, headed by former Howard government minister Philip Ruddock, recommended no changes to the Marriage Act, which will be a blow for some religious leaders and conservative MPs still bristling after same-sex marriage became law.

The review, ordered by Malcolm Turnbull after the historic parliamentary vote, is due to be handed to the ­Government by today, but not expected to be released by the Prime Minister for a couple of weeks.

It is understood the report recommends clearing-up oversights and anomalies by strengthening federal anti-discrimination laws that presently do not protect the right to religious freedom.

It means religion would have the same protection federally as sexual orientation, race, age and disability.

Under the change, the first step for aggrieved parties would be conciliation via the Australian Human Rights Commission, and if that failed, a federal court.

It is expected some conservative MPs and religious leaders may criticise the report for not going far enough.

It is expected that many of those who support marriage equality will be comfortable with the findings.

Mr Ruddock is believed to have presented a sensible report that strikes a balance for those who were concerned that their religious freedom was at risk after the legalisation of gay marriage, and those who argued against giving exemptions to discriminate.

In December, gay marriage passed the Senate with no amendments, and after five months of the legalisation of gay marriage, there have been no public standout issues that appear to have created unintended consequences of the highly charged issue.

There are already religious exemptions for federal and state anti-discrimination laws.