Pauline Hanson says she would be prepared to put aside her personal opposition to same-sex marriage and vote for it in the Senate – but only if the Australian people vote in favour of it at a plebiscite.

In an interview on the gay and lesbian radio station Joy FM in Melbourne, the One Nation leader also said she believes fears about hate speech and the mental health risks to young people of a plebiscite, which she wants delayed and held alongside the next federal election, are being overblown.

Pauline Hanson: ''I don't believe there's going to be hate.''

"I think you are actually blowing that out of proportion to make that an excuse why you shouldn't have a plebiscite," she said on Saturday.

Challenged on the mental health research from groups like beyondblue, Senator Hanson said: "I disagree with that; I don't believe there's going to be hate. I think it would be a balanced debate."