Senate puts off gay marriage debate

A parliamentary debate on legalising same-sex marriage is on hold for a few months.

The Senate was scheduled to debate a private bill proposed by Liberal Democrat David Leyonhjelm on Thursday, only for it to make way for the government's data retention legislation.

But Senator Leyonhjelm says any debate would have been "somewhat artificial" without Liberals being allowed a conscience vote.

"I do have a very good speech ready," he told reporters in Canberra.

It's likely a debate on Leyonhjelm's bill won't take place until mid-June at the earliest.