Greens want more info on plebiscite bill

The Greens believe a plebiscite on same-sex marriage would unleash "the forces of homophobia and hate" but the minor party is nevertheless leaving open the option of supporting a public vote.

Melbourne MP Adam Bandt on Tuesday said the Greens would wait and see exactly what the government proposed before deciding whether to oppose legislation enabling any plebiscite.

"We'll see what comes up," he told reporters in Melbourne.

Mr Bandt is concerned the government is yet to outline how the public vote and subsequent changes to the Marriage Act would work.

"You have to ask yourself what is the point of a bill for a non-binding plebiscite, for example," he said.

"The fact the government doesn't even have a bill they can put before parliament is suggestive of the fact it is all a delaying tactic and they are not actually committed to it."

Mr Bandt disagrees with the prime minister's view that homophobic views would be countered by the majority of Australians handling the issue sensitively.

The Greens MP on Tuesday insisted a plebiscite would give "voices of hate" an equal footing.

His comments come a day after Opposition Leader Bill Shorten side-stepped a question on whether Labor would support legislation enabling a plebiscite.

"I intend to win the election," he said on Monday.

Mr Shorten has previously suggested a plebiscite could act as a taxpayer-funded platform for homophobia.