Opposition Leader Bill Shorten To Introduce Marriage Equality Bill On Monday

Opposition Leader Bill Shorten will introduce a bill in Parliament next week in the hopes of legalising same-sex marriage.

The Labor leader will bring the marriage equality bill before the House of Representatives on Monday.

Deputy Leader Tanya Plibersek will second the motion, though ABC News points out that they do not have the numbers within their party to pass the bill.

Mr. Shorten acknowledged as much in his statement on the matter. Rather, he stressed that he hopes the bill will reignite debate and encourage Prime Minister Tony Abbott to grant MPs a conscience vote on same-sex marriage.

"I know this private members bill will not have the universal support of my colleagues," he said.

"It will challenge the deeply held personal beliefs of MPs and senators on both sides of politics.

"This is why Labor members have the freedom to vote their conscience, a freedom Tony Abbott is currently denying his party."

The Greens earlier today announced their own plans to bring a marriage equality bill to Parliament.

The push comes after Ireland's recent referendum in favour of marriage equality.

I have given notice that I will move a Bill on Monday which will finally bring about #marriageequality in Australia pic.twitter.com/sOdY3R2gb1

— Bill Shorten (@billshortenmp) May 26, 2015