Momentum for a Liberal Party free vote on same-sex marriage has stalled, leaving marriage equality advocates scratching their heads.
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Liberal MPs passed up the opportunity to discuss same-sex marriage in their last meeting before the six-week budget break on Tuesday.
This came despite Australian Marriage Equality revealing on Monday that 11 Liberal MPs had switched their position to supporting same-sex marriage since the start of the year and the Senate would likely back the reform.
Libertarian senator David Leyonhjelm brought forward debate on his "freedom to marry" bill this week on the understanding that Liberal MPs would raise the issue of a free vote beforehand.
But on Tuesday, Liberal MPs met without discussing the issue.
It is understood that supporters of same-sex marriage within the party were put off by the other issues dominating the agenda - such as weekend penalty rates and the budget.
It is also understood that a discussion was postponed because Liberal MPs were meeting with their National Party colleagues in a joint gathering on Tuesday and that a vote on Senator Leyonhjelm's bill is still "some way off".
Senator Leyonhjelm has repeatedly said he will not put his bill to a vote until there is a good chance of it succeeding.
The Liberal Party could have discussed the "freedom to marry" bill if Prime Minister Tony Abbott had formally listed it on the agenda, or if another MP had raised it during the meeting.
After the meeting, Senator Leyonhjelm challenged Mr Abbott to "honour his word" before the federal election that the party room would be able to discuss the issue of a free vote in the new Parliament.
"Mr Abbott has now had months to think about this question, and thousands of people, both for and against, have engaged in the debate," he said in a statement.
"It appears these people were mistaken in believing that the Prime Minister cared about their concerns one way or another.
"All we are waiting for is to hear whether or not Mr Abbott will allow his members to debate and vote on it freely. This should not be a matter that takes up a great deal of time."
Senate Leyonhjelm said the lack of discussion in the meeting was "disappointing" and that he was considering whether to go ahead with his second marriage speech this week, scheduled for Thursday.
He said there was "no doubt" that Australia was "on the road to marriage equality".
"I encourage Mr Abbott to aspire to being something other than an historical speed bump."
Australian Marriage Equality national director Rodney Croome said that the government should set a timetable for allowing a free vote.
He said the Liberal Party had ignored polling that showed 72 per cent of Australians who support same-sex marriage.
"A marriage equality free vote is unfinished business."
Over the weekend, Liberal MPs were bombarded by emails from both same-sex marriage supporters and opponents ahead of Tuesday's meeting.
