The West Australian Government is frustrated by the timing of the proposed same-sex marriage plebiscite, with the Deputy Premier admitting it will be a significant "distraction" for the state election campaign.

The Federal Government's proposed plebiscite date of February 11 is just one month before the state election, as WA operates with fixed four-year terms.

The plebiscite is still no certainty to go ahead and will likely need Labor's backing to proceed, but Deputy Premier Liza Harvey is unhappy the proposed date falls so close to the state election.

"It is very unfortunate timing and it will be a distraction to the state election campaign, there is no doubt about that," she said.

"Clearly they are not considering Western Australia in making these decisions yet again.

"Our state election date has been set four years in advance, everyone knows when it is, and I would hope the Commonwealth Government would reconsider that decision."

Some of Ms Harvey's WA Liberal colleagues have attracted controversy for their same-sex marriage views, with backbencher Peter Abetz drawing anger when he used a special sitting of Parliament that ratified Pat Dodson's appointment to the Senate to suggest the proposed change was not in line with traditional Aboriginal social views.

'They should have a vote' in Parliament, Harvey says

But Ms Harvey said she would not seek to stop her parliamentary colleagues from having their say in the same-sex marriage debate, despite the sensitive timing.

"People need to express their views and I believe there is a lot of respect in Australia ... there is generally consideration and respect for a diverse range of views," she said.

The Deputy Premier said she would be voting 'yes' if the plebiscite goes ahead, saying she hoped it would put the matter to rest.

"I think they should just get on with it and I think they should have had a vote on the floor for Parliament rather than a plebiscite, which costs everybody a lot of money," Ms Harvey said.

"We have been fascinated and obsessed with this for so long, I am actually pleased we have got the plebiscite so at least we can put the matter to rest."

Ms Harvey's Cabinet colleague, Small Business Minister Sean L'Estrange, said he was not sure how he would vote in the plebiscite.

"I want to make sure there is equality in regards to relationship and that nobody is disadvantaged by law," Mr L'Estrange said.

"How I'm going to vote on the actual day I am not sure yet, I am going to see how that whole debate plays out."

WA Labor also said it was unhappy at the timing of the proposed plebiscite, with Opposition Leader Mark McGowan describing it as "disrespectful to WA".

"It is inappropriate and I really don't think Malcolm Turnbull would do this if the New South Wales election campaign was on," Mr McGowan said.

"It clearly takes attention away from the Government's failings during the course of a state election campaign and maybe that is Mr Turnbull's motivation."