Same-sex marriage advocates have drawn up a list of about 70 federal politicians, including Foreign Affairs Minister Julie Bishop and Treasurer Joe Hockey, who they think could be persuaded to change their position on marriage equality in the new year.
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But they face an uphill battle, with a Fairfax Media survey of 15 new Liberal MPs revealing none is willing or able to declare their support for same-sex marriage.
Australian Marriage Equality plans to target 50 lower house members next year, with a two-to-one emphasis on Liberal MPs. Along with Ms Bishop and Mr Hockey, Education Minister Christopher Pyne and Assistant Minister for Education Sussan Ley have been selected as high-profile targets.
On the Labor side, shadow treasurer Chris Bowen and opposition frontbencher Ed Husic have been identified as potential supporters.
The High Court found this month that ACT same-sex marriages were not legal but that it was possible for the federal Marriage Act to be changed to allow for same-sex marriages.
If Liberal MPs were given a conscience vote, about 25 in the House of Representatives would need to change their position in order to pass same-sex marriage legislation, Australian Marriage Equality national director Rodney Croome said. In the upper house, about 10 senators would need to change their minds, he said.
Unlike their Labor counterparts, Liberal MPs do not have a conscience vote on the matter but Prime Minister Tony Abbott has left open the possibility of a free vote, saying the issue was a matter for the post-election party room.
Mr Croome said many new Coalition members were ''receptive to the case for reform''.
Despite recent publicity of same-sex marriage at the state and federal level, the issue remains on the backburner within Coalition ranks in Canberra.
It is understood same-sex marriage has not been raised in Liberal party room meetings since the September election. A Fairfax Media survey of more than 20 new Liberal MPs found that, of the 15 who responded, none indicated outright they supported same-sex marriage.
Five MPs indicated they had no firm position or would consult their electorates about their position, in the event of a vote.
Only two MPs, including Sydney MP Craig Laundy, clearly indicated they would support a conscience vote. Mr Laundy does not support same-sex marriage for religious reasons but he said he had ''zero interest'' in forcing that view on other MPs.
Six MPs were not willing to comment on same-sex marriage.
On the Labor side, marriage equality advocates are buoyed by the new Labor leadership team, which, for the first time, includes a leader and deputy leader who are in favour of same-sex marriage.
Labor leader Bill Shorten said he had not ''assessed'' Labor's numbers but suggested that ''maybe a few more'' Labor MPs were in favour than in the previous Parliament.
with Bianca Hall
