Attorney-General Philip Ruddock will today table the Human Rights Commission’s Same S-x: Same Entitlements report on same-s-x discrimination in federal law.

The report identifies more than fifty items of legislation that discriminate against same-s-x couples, financially or in regards to employment.

Ahead of the report’s tabling, GetUp! has released polling findings demonstrating widespread support for same-s-x couples’ rights.

Galaxy research conducted for GetUp! found 71% of Australians agree that same-s-x partners should have the same legal rights as de facto heterosexual couples, while only 23% disagreed. 

77% of Labor voters agree that same-sex partners should have the same legal rights as de facto heterosexual couples, with only 19% opposed. 63% of Coalition voters also backed the measure, with 31% against.

“Australians have made it clear that they oppose government discrimination on the basis of s-xual orientation,” said GetUp! Executive Director Brett Solomon.

“We are far from the days when granting rights to same-s-x couples was political suicide – instead, it is now electoral necessity.”

Crikey understands that the A-G is well-disposed to such a move.

If he wants to leave a skerrick of a small l-liberal legacy from his time on the frontbench, this could be the issue to act on.

Ruddock, despite his deeds in immigration and as A-G, still identifies as a member of the moderates. He attended their factional do, the Black Hand dinner, during the recent Liberal Party federal council.

Crikey also understands that this is a good time for Ruddock to be thinking of his legacy.

Rumours of his departure swept Canberra earlier this year. Crikey understands that these resulted from a move by the Prime Minister to remove him from the Cabinet. Ruddock retaliated with the threat of immediate resignation from the parliament and a by-election.

He was kept on, but told there would be no place for him in the ministry should the Liberals win a fifth term.

“We certainly aren’t a Government that supports discrimination,” the PM told Sky this morning.

Over to you, Mr Ruddock.