Greens say Prime Minister Abbott is right about marriage equality

Tony Abbott being right is not a sentiment you expect to hear from Greens senator Sarah Hanson-Young.

But she and her party colleagues are trying to show some love towards the coalition for the higher cause of same-sex marriage.

"We listened very carefully yesterday to the prime minister's comments," Senator Hanson-Young said on Thursday about Mr Abbott's response to Labor's plan to introduce legislation to parliament on Monday.

"He's right - the only way to achieve marriage equality this year is by ensuring that everyone has ownership of it and everybody is willing to work together."

The softer tone comes after Mr Abbott signalled he would prefer any change to marriage laws to be owned by the whole parliament rather than one political party.

Senator Hanson-Young has been a staunch critic of Mr Abbott's conservative views, telling him to leave behind the 1950s and "get over himself" after once admitting he felt threatened by gay men.

The Greens have been keen to co-sponsor a marriage equality bill with other parties, but will not be precious if Labor and the coalition leave them off a bipartisan bill.

"If that's how things fall, so be it," Senator Hanson-Young said.

She hoped marriage equality would be achieved in time for spring weddings.