REFORM of the Australian Marriage Act is "possible in the next year and very certain within three", according to the organisation that's drawing supporters of same-sex marriage together in a bid to influence federal politicians.
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Australian Marriage Equality (AME) has enlisted high-profile Australians, everyday citizens, families, councils and corporations in the pursuit of the reform.
AME national director Rodney Croome contends that Australians are prepared for change.
"The overwhelming majority of Australians believe marriage equality is inevitable including many who oppose it," he said.
Currently standing in the way of reform is the federal Coalition's reluctance to allow its members a conscience vote.
"If there is a cross-party conscience vote, marriage equality has a fighting chance," Mr Croome said.
"The vote is hard to predict, especially in the lower house, but if enough supporters in the community speak out I'm cautiously optimistic it will get through."
At its 2011 national conference the Labor Party changed its policy to support marriage equality and allow members a conscience vote on the issue.
Labor has called on all parties to follow suit.
"The Senate has also passed a motion calling on all parties to allow a conscience vote," Mr Croome said.
AME's national director said many high-profile Liberals supported a conscience vote including current and former state Premiers Jeff Kennett, Barry O'Farrell, Mike Baird, Colin Barnett and Will Hodgman.
Meanwhile, the "freedom to marry" Bill of Liberal Democrats Senator David Leyonhjelm is stagnating.
"A full debate on Senator Leyonhjelm's Bill will require a significant number of government members to want to have their say, and that is unlikely to happen without a coalition conscience vote," Mr Croome said.
"Senator Leyonhjelm has said he won't bring on a vote on his Bill until there is a cross-party conscience vote. He's in this to win the reform, not suffer a noble failure."
AME is highlighting a 2014 poll which "overwhelmingly" shows that Australians support the reform.
"According to a Crosby/Textor poll conducted in 2014, not only is it supported by 72 per cent of Australians, it has more support than opposition in every demographic including people of faith, regional and rural people and older people," Mr Croome said.
The AME's national director said "most other western countries and quite a few in Latin America" had enacted marriage equality.
"Even in Alabama same-sex couples are marrying," he said.
Mr Croome said Ireland was set to pass a marriage equality referendum in May and the United States Supreme Court was likely to extend marriage equality across America the following month.
