Agriculture Minister Barnaby Joyce has warned that Asia could see Australia as "decadent" if same-sex marriage is legalised, potentially damaging negotiations and our trading relationship in the region.

But the Australian-based leaders of the Buddhist and Hindu religions, which are two of the most popular religions in Australia and throughout Asia, have questioned Mr Joyce's claim, arguing that if Australia were to legalise same-sex marriage it would make little difference to our relations with northern neighbours.

Agriculture Minister Barnaby Joyce during Question Time at Parliament House Credit:Andrew Meares

While Mr Joyce said Australia should not necessarily take its cues or cultural values from its near neighbours, his comments echo fellow cabinet minister Eric Abetz' warning last week that Australia should not legalise gay marriage because no Asian country has done so.

"I think that what we have to understand is that when we go there [Asia], there are judgments, whether you like it or not, that are made about us and they see in how we negotiate with them whether they see us as - whether they see us as decadent," he said.