Porter plays coy

Opposition leader Bill Shorten introduced a private Members Bill to Parliament that sought to legalise same sex marriage.

But Prime Minister Tony Abbott has indicated the Coalition position is to support the existing definition of marriage.

Mr Porter said if the matter were ever to become a conscience vote, the decision would be up to a future party room.

"If such a conscience vote ever did came to pass I would consider my position carefully then and the actual legislation would be critical as I would never support anything that compelled churches to conduct or recognise unions they were doctrinally opposed to," he said.

City of Swan Ellenbrook ward councillor David MacDonnell has started a petition to call for a referendum on same sex marriage at the next election.

"All I want is to see the gay and lesbian community of Australia be given the same opportunity for happiness that I have been granted as a heterosexual," he said.

"If the politicians don't have the guts |to legislate for equal marriage rights on behalf of the people of Australia, I say we get them to put the power back in the people's hands."

Australian Marriage Equality welcomed the announcement of another marriage equality Bill to Federal Parliament.

Australian Marriage Equality deputy national director of Ivan Hinton-Teoh said now was the time for reform.

"We hope this Bill provides the circuit breaker needed for the Coalition party room to deal with the issue and decide on a free vote," he said.

For more details about the petition, visit http://tinyurl.com/pxhtmyx.