Labor frontbencher Anthony Albanese has rejected calls from within his Left faction for a binding vote on gay marriage.
Labor deputy leader and Left faction member Tanya Plibersek has called for a binding vote rather than a conscience vote, arguing it is a matter of legal equality.
But Mr Albanese said that while he would support legislation being put to a vote by the end of the year, it should remain a conscience vote for ALP members.
"It is now time for Australia to join the nations that recognise people should be able to marry the person that they love," he told parliament on Tuesday.
"I strongly believe there should be a vote this year and it should be a conscience vote."
He said the party needed to respect that some MPs differed on the issue on the basis of their conscience.
