Federal MPs won't stand in the way of legalising same-sex marriage if Australians vote in favour of the proposal in a plebiscite promised by the coalition should it win another term in government, a frontbencher says.
Liberal Christopher Pyne gave the assurance after heated debate in parliament on Thursday when Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull was confronted with concerns a `yes' vote would not be binding.
"It will be binding on the party - no politician in their right mind would ... turn around and say `we're not going to implement it'. So the public will get their way," Mr Pyne told the Nine Network on Friday morning.
Mr Turnbull told the parliament the mechanism for the promised plebiscite was still to be decided by cabinet.
Liberal MP Warren Entsch wants Mr Turnbull to allow parliament to amend the Marriage Act in this term and keep the change on hold until a majority `yes' vote is assured.
Former Abbott government minister Eric Abetz, who stands by the coalition's 2013 election promise not to legalise same-sex marriage, has branded Mr Entsch's suggestion a political "ambush".
"When it is held, whatever the decision, whether it is `yes' or `no' to marriage equality, that will be implemented," Mr Pyne said.
"If the parliament or the government at the time tries not to implement the people's will in the House of Representatives then woe betide that leader."
A Labor candidate aiming to become the first openly gay member of federal parliament's lower house fears a plebiscite will provide a pulpit for bullies and bigots.
Pat O'Neill, who will contest the Liberal-held seat of Brisbane at the next election, warns the public campaigns that would accompany the plebiscite had the potential to be devastating to some gay and transgender people, especially teens.
"I've been the teenager sitting on the couch, feeling ashamed and alone. I don't want anyone else to have to feel like that," he told Fairfax Media.
"We're just going to give a voice to the worst elements of our society, the bigots and bullies ... and subjecting some of the most vulnerable people in our society to those hateful opinions."
Mr Turnbull played down those fears when the issue was raised by Opposition Leader Bill Shorten in parliament.
The prime minister said he had great faith in the decency, common sense, humanity and wisdom of the Australian people to drown out unruly voices.
"Every day, we should be able to conduct public discourse in a civil manner, in a respectful manner," he said.
