Labor must abide by gay poll result: govt

A federal government frontbencher who is against same-sex marriage says he will abide by the result of the marriage postal survey, but so should Labor if there is a winning "no" vote.

Dan Tehan says the government would seek to move legislation before the end of the year should the survey result in a "yes" vote, a ballot the opposition fought against.

"The Labor party are now fully on board with the process we are going through, they are out there actively campaigning, so they should abide by the decision of the Australian people as well," Mr Tehan told Sky News on Sunday.

Labor has previously pledged to legislate for same-sex marriage with 100 days should it win the next election.