Ireland referendum a lesson: Shorten

Bill Shorten has labelled Malcolm Turnbull a weak fellow for surrendering to the right wing of his party over a same-sex marriage plebiscite.

Leader of the Opposition Bill Shorten a rail manufacturing facility as part of the 2016 election campaign in Adelaide, Thursday, June 23, 2016. Source: AAP

Opposition Leader Bill Shorten has warned the Irish experience provides a lesson to Australia about the dangers of a plebiscite on same-sex marriage.

"I have seen the experience and spoken to people who campaigned in the Irish referendum," Mr Shorten told reporters in Adelaide on Thursday.

He accused Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull of surrendering to the right wing of the Liberal Party, describing him as a "weak fellow".