Same-sex marriage plebiscite: PM's office denies report vote will be delayed until February.

The Federal Government says no decision on the timing of a same-sex marriage plebiscite has been made.

Media reports have today suggested Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull would push the $160 million plebiscite back until February next year, after saying during the election he would try to hold it this year.

In a statement, the Prime Minister’s office re-affirmed the Government’s commitment to a national plebiscite being held “as soon as practicable”.

“The mechanics of the plebiscite, including the specific question and also the timing, are subject to the usual Cabinet processes,” the statement said.

“No decisions have as yet been made.”

However, it did confirm the Australian Electoral Commission last week provided advice to Special Minister of State Scott Ryan that strongly recommended against a plebiscite being held this year.

Mr Turnbull has said he was confident laws to allow same-sex marriage would “sail through” Parliament if a majority of Australians voted for it in a plebiscite.

Labor has criticised plans for a plebiscite, arguing it will provide a forum for hate speech against the LGBTI community.

But earlier this month Opposition Leader Bill Shorten left the door open to supporting legislation for the plebiscite.

Mr Shorten said he was “not convinced” of the merit of the public vote, and labelled it the “second-best option”, but said he would discuss it with his colleagues.

This post originally appeared on ABC News.

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