Labor to force gay marriage bill vote

Federal Labor will force Malcolm Turnbull's hand on legalising same-sex marriage by bringing on a cross-party bill to a vote.

Labor MP Terri Butler, a co-sponsor of a cross-party marriage equality bill, will move for a vote to settle the matter before the federal election.

"I hope Malcolm Turnbull will make sure that his members and senators get a free vote," she told the Seven Network on Tuesday