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An Australian minister warned that gay marriage could damage the country's cattle exports because it is seen as "decadent".

Agriculture minister Barnaby Joyce warned of the impact on trading partners in Asia of legalising gay marriage across Australia.

"Where we live economically is south east Asia, that's where our cattle go," Mr Joyce told the ABC network.

"When we go there, there are judgments whether you like it or not that are made about us. They see us as decadent.”

Barrie Cassidy, the host of the Insiders programme on which Mr Joyce was appearing, replied: "Would they see us embracing gay marriage as decadence?”

"I think that in some instances they would, yeah," Mr Joyce then answered.

The issue of gay marriage has returned to the political agenda in Australia after a Liberal MP revealed he would introduce a private member's bill to legalise it when the country's parliament resumes next month.

But Prime Minister Tony Abbott suggested the bill would be unlikely to reach voting stage.

"It's quite unusual for private member's bills to come on for debate and vote in the Parliament," he said.