Openly gay Minister for Climate Change Penny Wong says she agrees with her party's opposition to same-sex marriage.

"On the issue of marriage I think the reality is there is a cultural, religious, historical view around that which we have to respect," she told Network Ten on Sunday.

"The party's position is very clear that this is an institution that is between a man and a woman."

Senator Wong said she respected Labor's view of marriage as an institution between a man and a woman.

"I am part of a party and I support the party's policies."

Senator Wong, the nation's first openly homosexual cabinet minister, said she was proud of what the party had achieved in recognising the value and importance of same-sex relationships.

Various reforms had been made during Labor's first term of government, including the changing of 80 pieces of legislation to remove commonwealth discrimination.

Senator Wong has previously dodged the issue as a panellist on ABC's Q&A program, saying her personal perspective was not relevant.