MALCOLM Turnbull has moved to clear another hurdle in the way of gay marriage being legal by Christmas by launching a separate review of religious freedoms in Australia.

The Prime Minister announced this morning he had ordered a review into “whether Australian law adequately protects the human right to religious freedom” which will not report back to the government until March 31, 2018.

It heads off calls from conservative MPs within the Coalition for a raft of amendments to the bill on same-sex marriage which had threatened to delay the legislation passing this year.

REVEALED: PM cops letter over ‘joke’ delay

media_camera Malcolm Turnbull has launched a separate review of religious freedoms in Australia. Picture: AAP

Mr Turnbull made it clear this morning the review was to appease those calling for amendments, while allowing time to consider any “unintended consequences”.

“The impending legalisation of same-sex marriage has seen a variety of proposals for legislative reform to protect freedom of religion,” he said in a statement.

“Many of these proposals go beyond the immediate issue of marriage.

“Any reforms to protect religious freedom at large should be undertaken carefully.

“There is a high risk of unintended consequences when Parliament attempts to legislate protections for basic rights and freedoms, such as freedom of religion.

“The Government is particularly concerned to prevent uncertainties caused by generally worded Bill of Rights-style declarations.

“This will be a timely expert stocktake to inform consideration of any necessary legislative reforms.”

media_camera Philip Ruddock will conduct the review. Picture: Justin Lloyd.

Liberal senator Dean Smith, who launched the bill to make gay marriage legal that will be debated in the senate next week, has welcomed the review.

I fully endorse the Prime Minister's initiative. It is a well-considered pathway to guaranteeing a comprehensive discussion about the proper place for religious freedom in our legal architecture. https://t.co/VIkQUy49v6 — Dean Smith (@DeanSmithWA) November 22, 2017

Treasurer Scott Morrison, a leading conservative within the Liberal Party, also welcomed the review of religious freedoms but signalled there could still be amendments to Senator Smith’s bill.

Conservative MP Alex Hawke, the Assistant Minister for Immigration and Border Protection, said the announcement was a “most welcome addition and an important guarantee to No voters and people of faith in this debate”.

“Coming from a No voting electorate in Western Sydney, the concerns of faith based communities have been amplified in recent days with reports of attacks on churches and intimidation of No voters for their deeply held and sincere views,” he said.

“It is disappointing, in a country that has long benefited from having Christian ethics at its core, people are being targeted for practising their faith.

media_camera Scott Morrison and Alex Hawke have welcomed the review. Picture: Phillip Rogers

“Recent events are also an important reminder of the reasons why the law must protect the right of people to their own religious views and the right to practice their faith free of intervention and intimidation.”

Despite the review, Mr Hawke said he would continue to seek amendments “necessary to protect religious freedom” to the Smith bill.

The Turnbull Government has appointed retired Liberal MP and former immigration minister Philip Ruddock to conduct the review.

“The Hon. Philip Ruddock is the right person to conduct this review,” Mr Turnbull said.

“Mr Ruddock has most recently served as Australia’s Special Envoy for Human Rights.

“In his many years in public life he has maintained a steadfast commitment to cultural and religious diversity in this country.”

An expert panel including the recently appointed President of the Australian Human Rights Commission, Rosalind Croucher, Annabelle Bennett AO SC and Frank Brennan SJ AO will also conduct the review.

Mr Ruddock, who is also now the mayor of Sydney’s Hornsby council, welcomed the new role today.

“For me, protection of the right to freedom of religion is a very important right and how we manage that within the context of difficult human rights obligations which can sometimes be formalised in a way which takes it beyond the power of the parliament, we need to get the balance right,” he told the Nine Network.

Opposition leader Bill Shorten said Labor would look at the detail of the review.

“We’re not automatically against that, but one thing’s for sure we’re not interested in delaying tactics and continuing discrimination,” he told reporters in Queensland.

“If there’s a way we can deal with legitimate concerns about religious freedoms, Labor will be highly constructive.”

Originally published as PM clears gay marriage obstacle