The bill is an exciting development for same-sex marriage advocates, as prime minister Abbott has previously said any bill on marriage equality ought to be a cross-party effort owned by the whole parliament.

However, despite excitement from advocates in the wake of the announcement, Abbott was quick to pour cold water on the issue.

"It is rare for a Private Member's Bill to be voted on and any bill would be subject to the usual process," he said in a statement on Wednesday.

"The Prime Minister's position remains the same as it has always been and he supports the current policy that marriage is between a man and a woman."

The bill will be co-sponsored by Liberal MPs Warren Entsch and Teresa Gambaro, Labor MPs Terri Butler and Laurie Ferguson, Greens MP Adam Bandt and independents Cathy McGowan and Andrew Wilkie.