Actor Guy Pearce and musician Jimmy Barnes are the latest famous Aussies to speak out in support of gay marriage on behalf of the Australian Marriage Equality campaign.

Pearce, who gained a large gay following after starring in the film Priscilla: Queen of the Desert, said support and acceptance of the LGBT community has grown since he played a drag queen in that 1994 film.

'This is of our history of overcoming past prejudices and embracing equality. It's now time for marriage equality,' he said. 'It makes me sad and frustrated that we see marriage as the right of some and not others.'

A recent Emmy winner for the HBO miniseries Mildred Pierce, the star of such films as LA Confidential, Memento and The King's Speech has been married to Kate Mestitzsince 1997. He said he 'fully supports' and encourages marriage for same-sex couples.

'Nothing will happen to the strength or sanctity of our own marriages if we let same sex couples marry,' the actor said. 'It will only enhance who we are as people to know we're not being so discriminatory.'

Barnes, famous for being the lead singer of the band Cold Chisel as well as for his successful solo career, said Aussies will 'look back in pride' at ending discrimination against same-sex couples.

'Supporting marriage equality is a reform that will do our country proud,' he said. 'It's time Canberra caught up with the rest of the country and ended this crazy ban that stops some of the most loving and committed couples from getting hitched.'

Barnes and Pearce join a number of celebrities who have endorsed marriage equality in Australia in recent weeks including Olivia Newton-John, Hugh Jackman, David Stratton, Margaret Pomeranz, Stephan Elliot, and Wallaby player David Pocock.

This year is a crucial for gay marriage in Australia. In December, the ruling Labor party voted to support it at their national conference but Prime Minister Julia Gillard has not expressed support.

Gillard succeeded in adding an amendment to the policy that requires a free vote in parliament on any same-sex marriage bill. This will make it difficult for a same-sex marriage bill to make it through parliament since it will need support from the socially conservative Liberal Party.