Same-sex marriage inquiry to hold hearings

A government-dominated Senate committee will hold public hearings next week into laws to allow same-sex marriage.

The hearings come despite Labor, the Greens, the Nick Xenophon Team and Derryn Hinch killing off the coalition's proposed February 11 plebiscite in parliament last November.

The latest inquiry does not deal with the plebiscite itself but rather the bill which would be introduced should the plebiscite pass.

The draft bill covers exemptions for ministers of religion, marriage celebrants and religious bodies and organisations to refuse to conduct or solemnise marriage, the impact on sex discrimination laws and what consequential amendments would be needed to other laws.

The committee won't be re-examining the debate for and against same-sex marriage.

Hearings have been scheduled for Melbourne on January 23, Sydney on January 24 and Canberra on January 25.