A public opinion poll released this week shows a major shift with most Australians now in favour of allowing same-sex couples to wed. 57% of those surveyed said that gay and lesbian couples should be allowed to get married. Only 37% were opposed. Support for gay marriage, the poll suggests, has grown by 20% since 2004, when a similar survey found 38% for and 44% against gay marriage. The Galaxy poll was commissioned by a social action group known as ‘GetUp'. It surveyed 1100 people across Australia last weekend, The Age newspaper reports. The new poll also found support for same-sex marriage crossed all demographics, although support was greatest among younger, female and left-of-centre voters. When the word marriage was removed from the poll question, nearly three-quarters of those surveyed agreed that same-sex couples should have the same rights as people in common law marriages in the areas of health care, pensions, property rights and inheritance. "This poll demonstrates that most Australians reject discrimination against gays and lesbians", said Australian Marriage Equality spokesperson, Peter Furness. "The Government and Opposition have been misjudging public attitudes believing it politically wise to back discrimination." In 2004 the federal government of Prime Minister John Howard passed legislation limiting marriage to opposite-sex couples. Two states have domestic partner registries - Tasmania and Victoria. In February, Howard's government quashed an attempt by the Australian Capital Territory to enact civil union legislation for the second time. The government said that it violated the gay marriage ban. Last year after Howard's government trashed the first ACT bill the federal Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission began an investigation into inequities faced by same-sex couples. The commission held hearings across the country. Commissioners heard from dozens of gay couples in hearings across the country of how partners have been cut out of wills because they have not legal status, how children in same-sex relationships are harmed, and how federal pension law hurts one partner when the other dies. In its report to the government the Commission urged passing laws guaranteeing rights for same-sex couples. The opposition Labor Party in April approved a campaign plank for the upcoming federal election calling for a national domestic partner registry for same-sex couples. Howard's government has rejected all suggestions the marriage ban be repealed or that gay couples be allowed civil unions. He has hinted, however, he may consider some limited legislation to ensure pension and health benefits for same-sex couples. Ref: 365gay.com (m)