Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull has called the Liberal Party back from parliamentary break a day earlier than expected to debate marriage equality before all MPs return to Canberra.

Headlines have been dominated by the issue in the last week, as government MPs declare they will cross the floor if given the opportunity to vote in favour of marriage equality when parliament resumes next week.

The government have also been seeking legal advice on a proposed postal plebiscite plan, in alignment with their election commitment to hold a public vote on the issue.

Liberal MPs will meet in Canberra on Monday afternoon, where MPs including WA Senator Dean Smith, Trent Zimmerman and Warren Entsch are expected to urge the government to abandon their plebiscite policy and allow a free vote on a new bill.

Fairfax Media have reported that the Prime Minister will remain neutral in the meeting, allowing his party to decide on their path forward themselves.

Coalition partners The Nationals may lose a member if a free vote is decided upon as Mallee MP Andrew Broad threatens to resign the party over the issue.

Broad’s potential resignation could see the Coalition government lose their one seat majority.

OIP Staff