Bernardi to take on Wong over gay marriage

Outspoken Liberal senator Cory Bernardi is preparing to face off with Labor's Penny Wong over same-sex marriage.

The pair will debate the issue at the National Press Club in Canberra later this month, ahead of the expected introduction of a cross-party equality bill in August.

Senator Bernardi is staunchly against change - once saying it could lead to an acceptance of bestiality - while Senator Wong has decried the extreme language used by marriage equality opponents.