The nation would decide on same-sex marriage at the next election under draft legislation introduced by the Senate crossbench.
Five independent crossbench senators and Greens senator Janet Rice introduced the private bill which would force the government to hold a plebiscite at the next federal poll.
It would force same-sex marriage to be legislated within six months of a “yes” vote.
Prime Minister Tony Abbott has floated the idea of either a plebiscite or a referendum, but wants the issue to be dealt with during the next term of government.
