Australia’s opposition party is attempting to capitalise on the momentum of Ireland voting for same-sex marriage, by putting forward a bill to recognise same-sex marriage in Australia.

The leader of the Opposition, Labour Party leader Bill Shorten, will introduce the bill in Australia’s House of Representatives next Monday, the Associated Press reports, The new bill will propose to change federal law ruling that marriage must be only between a man and a woman.

Shorten told reporters that the vote in Ireland had “reignited momentum for the marriage equality debate on the other side of the world in Australia.”

"If a country which is religiously conservative by cultural history can vote for marriage equality, then surely a modern Australia can endorse marriage equality in 2015," he said.

The image of Ireland - still seen by many Australians as a socially conservative place - passing same-sex marriage before Australia appears to have wounded the pride of many in Australia.

An opinion piece in the Sydney Morning Herald said “the Irish referendum has hit a sensitive spot in Australia because, despite our substantial Irish heritage, we have often displayed a superior attitude towards the Irish”. The article, by emeritus professor of political science at the Australian national University, John Warhurst, makes the point that Australia’s vision of itself as a “social laboratory” has been dented by being behind a nation famed for its socially conservative relationship with the Catholic Church.

Prime Minister Tony Abbott has agreed to a “full, frank candid and decent” debate on the issue and said he will allow MPs of his Liberal Party to vote freely on the issue.

“It’s an issue upon which there are sharply divided views ... and even inside my own family,” Mr Abbott said, referring to his sister, who is gay.

“It is important that all views be treated with respect because this is one of those subjects upon which decent people can disagree,” he added.

Mr Abbott’s sister, Christine Forster, told 9 News “I disagree with him. It sounds like the majority of Australians are starting to disagree with him.”

A bill on same-sex marriage came before the parliament in 2012 but was rejected by a vote of 98 to 42.