Release religious freedom report: senators

The Senate has ordered the government to release a review of religious freedom led by former Liberal minister Philip Ruddock.

A motion calling on the government to table the long-awaited report by Thursday morning passed the upper house on Wednesday.

Greens senator Nick McKim said releasing the findings, which the government had sat on for four months, was in the public interest because Prime Minister Scott Morrison had flagged legislation in the area.

"Mr Morrison and his cohorts on the right lost the marriage equality debate and now they want revenge," Senator McKim told parliament.

"It's time to end the secrecy and allow the Australian people to see this report including Mr Ruddock's recommendations."

Liberal frontbencher Anne Ruston said the government was undertaking detailed consideration of the report before releasing its findings.

Former prime minister Malcolm Turnbull was handed Mr Ruddock's final report in May, months after the inquiry was established in response to the same-sex marriage debate.