The Greens have for years urged the government to issue certificates of non-impediment to same-sex couples marrying overseas, which was a recommendation from the senate inquiry into the Greens' marriage equality bill in 2009.

"The Government and the new Attorney General should be congratulated for finally reversing that position, but it falls short of what is needed," Greens' marriage equality spokesperson, Sen. Sarah Hanson-Young, said today.

The Greens have today announced they will refer their marriage equality bill to a senate inquiry to increase the chances of it passing so that same-sex couples can have full legal recognition of their public declaration of love.

"Our Marriage (Equality) Amendment Bill 2010 has been on the table in parliament for more than a year and I believe having it passed is achievable if done right," Greens' marriage equality spokesperson, Sen. Sarah Hanson-Young, said.

She made the announcement in Canberra along with Alex Greenwich, National Convenor of Australian Marriage Equality.

Tony Abbott's decision to rule out a conscience vote on marriage equality again shows he is out of step with what most Australians want.

He and his shadow cabinet decided yesterday that the Coalition will not change its position on amending the Marriage Act.

Tony Abbott's decision to rule out a conscience vote for Coalition members on marriage equality again demonstrates he's out of touch with what most Australians want, the Australian Greens said today.

"Numerous surveys show Australians want their MPs to have a conscience vote on same-sex marriages," Greens' marriage equality spokesperson, Sen. Sarah Hanson-Young, said today.

"Mr Abbott should stop swimming against the tide of public opinion and let his Coalition MPs have a free vote when the legislation is presented in parliament next year.

The ACT government's decision to reintroduce legislation on civil union laws is another positive development, but falls short of marriage equality reforms Australians want at the federal level, the Australian Greens said today.

"Real reform will be made when the federal parliament passes marriage equality legislation, which will send a signal that same-sex couples are not considered under federal law as second-class citizens," Greens' marriage equality spokesperson, Sen. Sarah Hanson-Young, said.

Audio from Sarah's door stop in Adelaide on the Liberals and a conscience vote on marriage equality.

The Australian Greens say remarks by Malcolm Turnbull and Barry O'Farrell on a conscience vote for marriage equality is further proof Opposition Leader, Tony Abbott, should allow a free vote.

"If the Coalition sticks with Tony Abbott's outdated policy of marriage being between a man and a woman, opposition members should be allowed a conscience vote," Greens' marriage equality spokesperson, Sen. Sarah Hanson-Young, said today.

Opening the Labor Party conference, Julia Gillard told her party faithful she wanted the ALP to be the party that says "yes to the future".

Yet the Prime Minister spent the next three days advocating for the resurrection of the old, tired conservative policies of John Howard. On policies covering asylum seekers, uranium and same-sex marriage, Labor's leader backed the stance of the former ultra-conservative Liberal prime minister.

The Australian Greens say the unstoppable drive for marriage equality continues with a new Galaxy poll showing 80 percent of respondents want the Coalition to have a free vote on it in parliament.

The survey conducted for Australians for Marriage Equality also shows 76 percent of Coalition supporters would back their MPs having a conscience vote.

The Australian Greens have announced today they will reintroduce their marriage equality bill into both houses of parliament when sittings resume in early 2012.

Seizing on the momentum of the ALP's decision on marriage equality, Greens Senator Sarah Hanson-Young invited both Labor and Liberal members to co-sign her bill.

"Marriage equality and fairness for all is about love and should be above politics," the Greens' marriage equality spokesperson said.

"With support from members from all sides, I believe these bills can pass in time for the spring wedding season."