Current government policy on same-sex marriage is to take a plebiscite to the next election, whereas Labor has promised to introduce legislation for marriage equality within 100 days if elected.

A plebiscite would poll the entire electorate on marriage equality, but is usually non-binding and does not prompt an automatic change of the law.

Prime minister Malcolm Turnbull has implied a plebiscite on marriage would include binding clauses to ensure the passage of reform if Australia votes 'Yes'. However, the detail remains unknown.