Attorney-General George Brandis is set to make a recommendation on whether the taxpayer should fund the campaigns.

The Australian Christian Lobby is opposing change to the definition of marriage and citing precedent for public funding for campaigns.

Its managing director Lyle Shelton said public funding for the campaigns should be commensurate with the “yes” and “no” campaigns for the 1999 referendum on the republic.

Australian Marriage Equality is against further outlay of public funds.

“$160 million is expensive enough,” chairman Alex Greenwich said.

The Australian Electoral Commission estimates it will cost $158.4 million to run the plebiscite on a date to be announced.

It includes the cost of a pamphlet for voters showing reasons for and against the proposed change.

The estimate does not include the cost of running the opposing campaigns. 

Ms Payne, who has previously spoken up in support of marriage equality, is calling on the nation to “move forward”.

“The majority of people want marriage equality- we already know this,” she said. “We don’t need to fund arguments for and against.”

Ms Payne married her same-sex partner in New Zealand in 2015.

“I believe the money we save on the plebiscite could be better spent promoting Australia as a gay-friendly tourist destination,” she said.

“I can't justify the spending on a plebiscite and I certainly won't justify my relationship to my partner of almost 12 years. Unfortunately I predict an ugly backlash from the community not against marriage equality but against the spending involved in the plebiscite.”

Fairfax Media reports of recent polling showing less than 50 per cent of Australians want the plebiscite.

Support for it plummeted once voters discovered the cost and that politicians did not have to comply with the result.