CHRISTOPHER Pyne has been accused of being disloyal to the Liberal Party and not “fair dinkum” with the public after saying same-sex marriage could be introduced “sooner than everyone thinks”.

Former Prime Minister Tony Abbott has slammed the Defence Industry Minister after audio leaked of his remarks to Liberal party faithful that their “friends in Canberra” were working on getting marriage equality laws passed.

“We took a policy to the election — it was a very clear policy — that there would be no change without a plebiscite,” Mr Abbott told Sydney radio station 2GB this morning.

“To dump the plebiscite, to do anything without a plebiscite, would be a breach of faith with the people.”

media_camera Former Prime Minister Tony Abbott has accused Defence Industry Minister Christopher Pyne of being disloyal. Picture: Kym Smith

Mr Abbott said Mr Pyne should be loyal as a member of cabinet.

“If he’s to be believed on Friday night, that loyalty was never there and that’s incredibly disappointing,” he said.

“This is one of the reasons why the public turn off politicians, because we don’t tell them what we think.

“And it looks like one of our number has been caught out.

“You’ve got to be fair dinkum with the Australian people and it looks like that’s not been true of Christopher.”

Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull has ruled out any new action on same-sex marriage.

media_camera Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull has ruled out any new action on same-sex marriage. Picture: AAP

The Coalition would stand by its policy of holding a plebiscite on the issue, he told reporters today.

He slammed the Labor Party for blocking the plebiscite late last year.

“I can understand the disappointment of those who are frustrated that the gay marriage issue has not been resolved but the reason it has not been resolved is because of Bill Shorten,” he said.

“Our policy is clear and we have no plans to change it.”

Treasurer Scott Morrison also said there was “no move away from the plebiscite policy”.

media_camera Treasurer Scott Morrison has rejected reports that the Turnbull Government has new plans to introduce same-sex marriage. Picture: AAP

“We’re not actually talking about it — we’re talking about power prices, passing the Budget, schools funding going up by $23 billion,” Mr Morrison said when quizzed about the reports on Channel Seven’s Sunrise program this morning.

The Treasurer would not be drawn on whether Mr Pyne had inside information or was “out of touch” with the rest of the Liberal Party.

“I don’t know, you’d have to ask him,” he said when asked why Mr Pyne would make those remarks.

media_camera Defence Industry Minister Christopher Pyne was caught on tape saying the government would act on the issue “sooner than everyone thinks”. Picture: AAP

Labor has seized on the reports, saying internal divisions in the Liberal Party were “the biggest impediment” to marriage equality in Australia.

“Australians are sick of waiting while Liberal MPs play their pathetic games,” Shadow Attorney-General Mark Dreyfus said.

“Christopher Pyne lavishes praise on himself behind closed doors, but is as weak as Malcolm Turnbull when it comes to making something happen.”

Mr Dreyfus called on Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull to stand up to the conservative members of the Liberal Party and dump the plebiscite policy.

“It’s time for Mr Turnbull to grow a spine and stand up to Tony Abbott, Peter Dutton, Scott Morrison and the other haters in the Liberal Party,” he said.

A spokesman for My Pyne clarified the Minister’s statements.

“The minister did not say action on marriage equality was imminent,” he said.

“The minister said that while marriage equality had failed to materialise over the last two years it would become­ a reality­ eventually­.”