Labor to try to force gay marriage vote

The federal opposition will try to bring on a vote on a cross-party bill to legalise same-sex marriage.

Labor will attempt to bring on a vote on same-sex marriage in parliament this week.

Opposition MP Terri Butler wants to force the issue using a cross-party bill that has sat on the notice paper for months - but it will be up to the government, which plans to hold a plebiscite after the next election.

"I don't want this to be an issue which divides the community," she told ABC radio, denying her plan was a pre-election stunt.