The Coalition's biggest backer of same-sex marriage has welcomed Julie Bishop's show of support for the reform but said it's unlikely it will change other Liberal MPs' views.
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Queensland MP Warren Entsch, who has been spearheading the Coalition's push to legalise same-sex marriage, said it was encouraging to see "more individuals of influence" expressing their views on marriage equality.
His comments followed the Foreign Affairs Minister's appearance on The Project on Monday night, where Ms Bishop indicated her support for the reform.
"I think the Australian people should have their say. I have absolutely no concerns about it myself, but I know there a lot of people who are deeply concerned about the issue," she said.
Previously, Ms Bishop has resisted revealing her personal views on the matter. In 2010, she said she supported the existing definition of marriage in the Marriage Act.
But while Australian Marriage Equality national director Rodney Croome hailed Ms Bishop's comments as a sign that parliamentary support is growing and "momentum for reform is unstoppable", Mr Entsch downplayed their impact.
"I'm not sure if her comments are going to change any of my colleagues' views, and I don't believe they were intended to do so, however it's encouraging to see more individuals of influence expressing a personal opinion on marriage equality," the member for Leichhardt said.
"It also reinforces the need for this issue to be put to a vote by the people as soon as possible."
Mr Enstch has been pushing Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull to allow a bill to come before the current Parliament that would legalise same-sex marriage, on the condition it would only come into force if Australians voted "yes" in a plebiscite.
Under the Coalition's policy set by former prime minister Tony Abbott, the plebiscite would be held after the next federal election.
Earlier on Tuesday, some Liberal MPs were sceptical of Ms Bishop indicating her support for same-sex marriage now - noting she had not declared a position during the Coalition's marathon meeting on the matter in August.
They also expressed concern that her support would kickstart another internal fight within the party between progressives and moderates, at a time when the government was trying to focus on the economy.
