Pressure is mounting on the Liberal Party to allow a free vote on same-sex marriage, with libertarian senator David Leyonhjelm saying it was time for government MPs to discuss the matter.
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Senator Leyonhjelm will make his second-reading speech on his "freedom to marry" bill next Thursday, and says that the Liberal Party should decide whether it will allow a free vote on the issue at their party room meeting next Tuesday.
He said this meant Prime Minister Tony Abbott could not "stand in the way".
"The time has come for the Prime Minister to reveal whether the word 'liberal' actually means anything to him or it's just a brand name like Datsun or Krispy Kreme," Senator Leyonhjelm said.
"I support marriage equality because I believe people should have the freedom to choose their own life path."
Senator Leyonhjelm introduced his bill, which would amend the Marriage Act to allow marriage between same-sex couples, as well as transgender and intersex Australians, last November. But he has not yet given the major second-reading speech, which triggers a parliamentary debate on the bill.
He has previously threatened to block government legislation if MPs are not allowed to properly debate his proposed legislation.
Labor MPs are allowed a conscience vote on the matter, but Liberal MPs currently are not.
While Mr Abbott is a staunch opponent of same-sex marriage, he repeatedly said prior to the 2013 election that the question of a free vote on the issue would be a matter for the post-election party room.
Senator Leyonhjelm said the Liberal Party should use their next party room meeting - scheduled for Tuesday - to discuss a free vote.
"Once a matter, a bill, is listed for debate, they have to have a position on it," he said.
Last year, Mr Abbott cautioned that Senator Leyonhjelm's bill may not necessarily be discussed by the Liberal party room, noting that "normally, opposition private members' motions in the Senate are dealt with without a vote [in the party room]".
On Wednesday, with Labor's support, the Senate passed a Greens-initiated motion that all MPs and senators be given a conscience vote on same-sex marriage.
Senator Leyonhjelm said that in discussions he has had with Liberal MPs - including ministers - there was significant support for a free vote.
He said Queensland Coalition MP Wyatt Roy would sponsor his bill in the lower house and that there would be a government MP to co-sponsor it in the Senate, but would not name who.
Senator Leyonhjelm conceded that it was unlikely his bill would get enough votes to pass the Parliament, adding that he would not bring it on to a vote until he was confident of success.
