Australian Labor Backbencher Stephen Jones has announced that he expects his Private Member’s Bill on marriage equality to be tabled on Monday 13 February.

In a statement to press, Jones who is married with two children, seeks to change the definition of marriage from “the union of a man and a woman to the exclusion of all others voluntarily entered into for life” to:

"The union of two people, regardless of their sex, to the exclusion of all others, voluntarily entered into for life."

He also added the bill aims to ensure that no religious minister is under any obligation to solemnise a same-sex marriage.

“I am also proud to be a member of a political party that champions religious freedom and has ensured a conscience vote can be cast on this Bill.” He explained.

Although a step in the right direction towards equality, many equal rights campaigners and groups have said they hoped the debate would be delayed until later in the year to ensure adequate lobbying time.

Many believe that if the vote were to be introduced too soon, without at least Coalition MPs having a conscious vote on the matter, the bill will fail.

Jones’ announcement comes one day after Greens MHR Adam Bandt and Independent Andrew Wilkie agreed to jointly sponsor a separate Private Members Bill on marriage equality.