The federal government is standing by its policy for a plebiscite on same-sex marriage, despite a push by some Liberal Party members for a free vote on the issue in parliament.
Legislation for a plebiscite was rejected by parliament earlier this year, and would likely be rejected if the government tried to get it through again.
Liberal Senator Dean Smith has released a draft private member's bill to legalise same-sex marriage in parliament, and has the support of at least five other Liberal MPs.
Speaking to Channel Nine, he's scathing of the idea proposed by some within the government of a plebiscite where people would vote by post.
"So, people might desire a postal plebiscite. But at the moment, it is conceptual, it's details are unknown. And again, I would argue that it's a D-grade response to what is a defining, A-grade social issue. I think it's useless."
But same-sex marriage opponents in particular within the government continue to push the idea of a plebiscite, citing the fact that it's the policy the government took to the last election.
Former Prime Minister Tony Abbott has told Sydney radio station 2GB the government should keep trying to get the legislation through parliament, as it would with any other type of legislation.
"If you're fair dinkum about the policy, have another go in the Senate. And if the Senate knocks you back, have another go, and another go. The Howard government did it at least forty times when it came to changing unfair dismissal laws, and we should be just as determined to let the people have their say here."
Senator Arthur Sinodinos says the government has to be allowed to keep its election promises if people to regain trust in politicians.
At the heart of the issue is the stability of the government and the leadership of Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull.
Nationals MP Andrew Broad has told his local newspaper it would be end of the Liberal-National coalition if gay marriage was legalised without a plebiscite.
He says 16 lower house members would be gone at once, and Mr Turnbull would no longer be able to stay as Prime Minister.
And the man who's looking to take Mr Turnbull's job is cashing on the instability within Mr Turnbull's government.
Opposition Leader Bill Shorten has scoffed at the former Prime Minister, and told his MPs the chaotic situation is the current Prime Minister, Mr Turnbull's, fault.
"There was a new contender in the satire stakes today, when I read Tony Abbott talking about (how) politicians should never break promises. But there is only one reason why this failure to deal with marriage equality has dragged on as long as it has - it is because of the complete of failure of leadership and weakness of the Prime Minister of Australia to deal with this issue."
Mr Shorten, and most Labor MPs and senators, support gay marriage being legalised, although they will allow members a conscience vote on the chance there is a parliamentary vote on the issue.
Meanwhile, those lobbying for gay marriage continue their campaign for a parliamentary vote, and not a plebiscite.
Alex Greenwich, the co-chair of Australian Marriage Equality, says advocates will challege the validity of a postal plebiscite in court if necessary.
"Now, we're also aware that a postal vote plebiscite may be discussed and considered by the coalition party room. If that is announced today, the challenge to it will begin tomorrow. A postal vote plebiscite is a bloody stupid idea that will weaken the parliament, because it basically says people are not prepared to do their job."
Whatever the result, the societal and political outcomes of the government's internal debate could be far-reaching.
