Indigenous Affairs Minister Scullion backs same-sex marriage

Indigenous Affairs Minister Nigel Scullion has declared his support for same-sex marriage.

The Country Liberal Party senator said he "absolutely" supported marriage equality and a conscience vote.

"That is my (personal) view but you shouldn't confuse my view with how I vote on a piece of legislation I haven't thus seen," he told ABC radio on Wednesday.

Coalition backbenchers can vote freely but ministers must resign if they wish to cross the floor.

That is, unless Prime Minister Tony Abbott agrees to allow his frontbench a free vote.