Labor Minister Craig Emerson has played down claims that fellow frontbencher Mark Arbib was slapped down by his colleagues over his public support for gay marriage.

Tensions have been rising in the Labor Party over the issue, with Senator Arbib last week publicly backing a change to Labor policy to allow gay marriage.

Senator Arbib believes MPs should be allowed a conscience vote on the issue, but Prime Minister Julia Gillard has repeatedly ruled that option out.

Reports today say he was rebuked by several colleagues for speaking out against Ms Gillard.

When asked on Sky News if other ministers were angry with Senator Arbib, Mr Emerson replied: "I don't think so".

"Different people will have different views on this matter".

Mr Emerson said while the issue was important to many Australians, the Government was focusing on more pressing needs of Australians, such as cost-of-living pressures.

"It doesn't mean that the issue of gay marriage is an unimportant issue, but there are some priorities here and we are dealing with those priorities," he said.

MPs of both sides of Parliament spent much of last night debating a motion put forward by Greens MP Adam Bandt which urges MPs to consult with their constituents on the issue.

Labor has agreed to support the motion despite not supporting a change to the Marriage Act.

Newly-elected Labor MP Stephen Jones has broken ranks with his party to express his support for gay marriage.

This morning he told Radio National there is a case for change.

"When I reflect upon the arguments that have been put against a change to marriage equality laws ... I can't help concluding that the objection is not to marriage but to the relationship itself and that's something I can't agree with," he said.